Moments of Forever

Preface Have you ever wondered if your life really matters or how you fit into the grand scheme of things? If so, you are not alone—I have also wondered these things. Down through time, great thinkers have described our human existence in terms of philosophy, religion, science, and even mathematics. Many have provided commentary on our existence, both artistically and poetically, and have offered grand speculation about our consigned place within the universe. Numerous books describe the doctrines of religion and philosophical approaches to life, and there is a sea of self-help books that describe everything from planning for financial security to health and beauty tips. With so many books on the market that provide sound advice about improving our lives, why do so many of us continue to be overwhelmed with life’s struggles and deal with feelings of inadequacy? Why do so many people seem to lack purpose and direction in life? As a college educator, I have counseled and advised people for years who were struggling to find their direction in life, and I have often wondered what makes one person more confident and more self-directed than another person. How can one person find his way so easily and another person become hopelessly lost? And from where does one’s sense of self-confidence and purpose come? For years, I pondered these questions until the thought occurred to me that when people need directions, they usually look for a map to guide them. It would thus make sense that people who are searching for direction in life would benefit from a map of humanity to guide them. It then occurred to me that if a map to understand humanity existed, it must exist within all of us and it would probably require all of us if we were to ever fully discern it. Fortunately, we don’t need the whole map to find our way in life. All you and I need is a point of reference and perhaps some idea of scale. With this crucial revelation in mind, I sat down at my computer to write. I was compelled by my personal belief that there is something quite special inside every one of us, something of great and intrinsic value. Stated simply and honestly, I believe in you—in your remarkable ability to direct your life and to influence the lives of others around you. I believe that you make a difference in the world and that your life matters: what you think, say, and do is important. I recognize that there is an empowering sense of purpose that comes from the realization that you are an integral part of something much larger than yourself. Yes, I believe that there is something very special within you and you may not have yet even realized it. So when I sat down at my computer, I wrote this book for you, to help you discover the true power and importance of your life. Introduction Many believe that we have a vertical connection between ourselves and our maker, but many also believe that we have a horizontal connection between ourselves and all of humankind. This book will attempt not to convince you of the former but to present a compelling case for the latter. My basic premise is that the common experience of human existence reaches out across the ages of the world and connects all of us—all of humanity—in one existence that we instinctively sense and subconsciously know. We have no agreed-upon word for this interconnectivity of humankind, but we all experience it every day of our lives. For the purpose of this book, and for lack of a conventional name, I will employ the term forever to reference this great human connection. In no way do I claim to have all the answers to life’s questions. I offer these chapters in the hope that they will stir thoughts within you about a larger human existence and rouse your curiosity sufficiently for you to explore the significance of your life. I want to help you obtain a broader perspective of your existence and a greater appreciation for your inherent worth and relevance as a human being. Through such insight and with encouragement, I hope you will aspire to higher callings in life, seek principled character, and pursue your full potential and purpose. With each chapter of this book, I intend to lead you to a deeper understanding of the special commonalities of human existence that are unmistakably mapped out within each of us. I want to help you find direction in life by teaching you how to reference the shared characteristics of humanity that are within you. Chapter 1, “Gaining a Forever Perspective,” will establish a context for learning about yourself and your place within humanity. By having an infinite perspective on life, you will be able to perceive life in a broader way. The next chapter, “Recognizing Your Forever Worth,” will guide you to a better understanding of your immeasurable worth. Chapter 2 will teach you how to measure your true value as a human being. We will turn our attention in chapter 3, “Comprehending Humanity’s Higher Callings,” to the nature of humanity itself and discover how, as a human species, we are progressing from the primitive to the enlightened. Chapter 4, “Understanding Your Forever Connection,” will explain your unbreakable link to humanity as a whole. This chapter will describe how you can gain strength and personal contentment from this vast, overarching relationship. Chapter 5, “Cultivating Your Forever Character,” will explain how virtuous character can strengthen and enrich your life and human experience. The influence of the individual on humanity as a whole will be examined. In a continuation of the third chapter’s discourse on humanity’s progression from the primitive to the enlightened, chapter 6, “Joining the Quest for Higher Callings,” will offer an in-depth focus on three additional human pursuits. Working from the assumption that we each have the ability to contribute in a meaningful way to humanity, chapter 7, “Realizing Your Forever Potential,” will focus on the unlimited potential that is found within all of us. Chapter 8, “Finding Your Forever Moment,” will reveal how undeniable moments of significance and insight serve as epiphanies in life and help us realize the true power and importance of our lives.