Never Break the Chain

What we do in life really does echo in eternity

The finitude of life, war, disease, restrictions - all of these things make life seem perilous and, sometimes, like a game you are bound to lose. Yet, our saving grace is that what we do in life really does echo in eternity, and so, the question comes down to this:

What if we lived in a way which produced a boundless ripple effect of good?

You and I know or have known someone who has had a profound effect on us.

Perhaps it’s a grandfather who worked endlessly - with a smile on his face - to provide for his family. Maybe it’s a mentor who lived life so differently, with sheer will and curiosity, that their life itself caused a major shift in the framework of your thinking. It could be a father who, no matter what, has an endless desire to bear witness to your success…

No matter who it may be, it’s certain that they, through their very being (and good actions), are calling you to continue the chain of good.

Positive Forces

During my 1st year in The Preparation, I met many good people, but two men in particular stood out to me. First, a man named Jim Klein, who I met in the spring of last year. Then, another man named Kirk, who I had the privilege to meet not too long after.

Both men have lead fulfilling lives, so much so that the material success they achieved was put to the background as the gravitas of their character took the foreground - and that’s real success.

You see, both men offered me a chance to learn from them in ways both intentional and unintentional.

One man gave me the opportunity to learn the basics of horse/mule packing in the mountains of Colorado. He furthered my knowledge of horsemanship while also telling me the endless amount of stories he garnered from living his life well.

The other man undertook an array of endeavors distinct to his character. From wrestling, running a successful fertilizer business, to creating music - the depth and uniqueness of his life is unlikely to be experienced be 15 “average” men.

Both men have lived and acted impressively.

When meeting them, I couldn’t help but be spurred into aiming to become better. When we encounter good - whether that’s a good idea, a good path, or a good person - it whispers to us, asking us in a warm, welcoming way if we’d like to come along.

The Chain

At that point we have a choice to make…

Will we say Yes, rise to the occasion, and take on the tremendous burden of personal agency? Or, will we shrink from the responsibility we have to ourselves and others to live with integrity, honestly, and ambition?

If we answer in the affirmative and walk the path we then become the next link in the chain of Good which beckons others to join.

Our words, actions, and character itself will effect people unknowably in such positive ways as the two men mentioned previously have done to myself and others.

At that point it becomes your responsibility (and mine) to strengthen the chain which, from the incomprehensible weight and reach of good action, cannot be broken.

365 Days

We stand at an interesting transition from one year to the next…

On one hand we have the opportunity to reflect and on the other we have the opportunity to act as we move through this next year.

You and I play different roles - perhaps you’re older and vast amounts more life experience and an impressive list of accomplishments over the course of your life. Or, maybe, you’re around my age and you are seeking to use your ambition to live an impressive life.

Some of us have to strive and others can teach.

Now that we are starting on a blank slate this year we have the obligation (and great privilege) of attaching ourselves to the chain of Good or showing others the path to it.

If we do that, it’ll be a good year.

-Maxim Benjamin Smith