The Secret Of Life
By Robert J. Ottaviani
It can be a life long endeavor. It can be something that you put on the shelf to get to later. It can be evasive and elusive. It doesn’t often present itself outwardly and when it does you may not recognize it. It is available to most everyone and yet so few have it. It can seem difficult to achieve with work restraints, family obligations and health issues but not impossible. It is the ultimate prize we chase after whether we realize it or not. So what is it? What is this untapped mystery we seek to discover? I’ll call it THE SECRET OF LIFE. No,not just the gift of life we’ve all been given. I’m referring to a much deeper quality of living which I’ll try to explain a little further.
I’ve witnessed it so I know it’s real. I had a family member who they told me when he was younger was very stern and harsh in large part probably because of the physical ailments he had endured. The discomfort that ravaged his body affected his demeanor as it would each and everyone one of us. But somewhere along the way he found the key and unlocked THE SECRET and once you do the world is at your fingertips. Whenever he golfed he seemed to enjoy it a little more than you did. When he ate he seemed more pleased than you. When he walked his step had a little more bounce in it than yours did. It didn’t make you irritated but a better word would be envious. It was genuine and whatever it was he had found you knew that you hadn’t.
Over the years we became good friends but he couldn’t share “it” with me even if he wanted. It’s non transferable because it takes a different key for everyone. The direction we take to get there can be as different and unique as we are to each other. I understood that much. I watched intently to see if there was a clue left behind. I admired the fact that his life always seemed to run smoothly, that he was never pressed for time like the world had slowed down for him. He seemed in sync,in perfect harmony with the world around him. We never talked about “it”. I’m not even sure he knew what he had but I sure did. He had gained the ability to extract meaning from each and every moment even when they seemed mundane to everyone else. He found joy in the simplest passages of time that the rest of us took for granted.
God has given us all the chance to walk the planet but more importantly the opportunity to make the most of it. I implore you to not just go through the motions. Reach out and try to grab the golden key. We are given as many chances as we need so don’t be afraid to fail. I believe we have been presented a challenge to try and extract the most out of the life we have been given. Find out what works for you and if you’re fortunate enough to make that connection your life will be impacted in a positive way. Others just may follow your lead.
Robert J. Ottaviani (Bert) is a cusp born Aries the ram who has lived through summer of love in the late sixties and the hippie culture that bled into the seventies. He has a passion for music, gardening and all things nature … and laffy taffy. He is freakishly aware of music trivia to absurd levels. Most days you can find him playing his guitar or jotting down lyrics. He was so impacted from the moment he first heard the Beatles that he has Beatlemanianized his life,been to Liverpool, England and remains convinced he is the fifth Beatle. He is married to a gentle and lovely vibe of a woman with three wonderful children. He currently lives and resides in strawberry fields forever.
