The Art of Navigating the Road of Life

[Kaysar]

In order to navigate the road of life it is important to never be the road itself. Rather, you must be the engineer of the road. The engineer sets the conditions of the road (length, width, direction, and even quality of work), positioned to reap the benefits of a job well done. Even if the job proves to be unsuccessful, valuable skills and wisdom are aquired after every task.
The road is fastened to the earth with its path set. This lack of versatility translates to vulnerability to its environment. More importantly, a road is only focused on direction and destination and not the details of its existance, skewing the road's limited perspective of future endevours.

[Lolly]

Kaysar,
This is beautiful and very true... the key to a happy life is in the details you set up for yourself and the integrity in which you share them.
I am so glad you agreed to take a fork in the road called BB6 so we could all get to know each other.
Be Happy my friend!!!!!!!!

[RhyanShae]

Kaysar,

You should know better than to make me curious. Now we have a new forum. Shall I hold my breath to see what it'll bring?

And, beautiful post.

[BBFAN32]

Kaysar, I love your philosophical ramblings. I'm glad you are exposing your intellectual side. :)

[FranzKafka]

Beautiful, Kaysar.

The art of navigating the road of life is not to be a victim of what happens to you; but rather to be an architect of the road and making things happen.

The art of problem-solving lies in your attitude and approach to the problem; think positively, often the problem lies in how we look at things.

The art of positive thinking is to have a positive image of yourself not by proclaiming your goodness in words but proclaim your goodness in deeds.

The art of bring you-nique is not in how you appear but rather in letting what you do and how you do it be a reflection of what you are.

You are the only “you” that there is; no one can think with your mind, speak with your voice and smile with your face, cry with your tears or act with your body but you. So be the best “you” that you can be.

As you choose good, decent and pleasant people to associate with, make yourself deserving of those associations. (Would you befriend “you” if you were someone else?)

The art of speaking is not in the volume of words or sound but rather in the wisdom of the content. (Do not say all that you think and think carefully of what you say).

The art of criticism lies not in succeeding to find faults, but in finding a means whereby the fault is realized and corrected.

The art of disagreement is not in being hostile and adamant but in being able to disagree without being disagreeable.

The art of joyfulness is not only being happy yourself but in increasing that joy by bringing happiness to the lives of others.

The art of inspiring is to uplift others by suggestion and demonstration rather than by injunction and dictation.

The art of social living is not to appear better than others but in bringing out the best in yourself and facilitate bringing out the best of others.

The art of solitude is not only in occupying yourself when you are alone but in enjoying the company of the one you are alone with.

The art of personality is to commit yourself to being of benefit to the world and occupy yourself with so much striving to improve yourself that you have less time to criticize others.

The art of life is not passing time in this world, but is to be like the candle recognizing the inevitability of death while bringing light to the world as it is consumed. (The reality of life is change, the challenge of life is to live it to its full, the lesson of life is its temporariness, the wisdom of life is to learn from the past and leave a better world for the future.)

[Elizabeth]

Thanks K. Now you know if you put something on the table, I'm going to play off of it, right?

I've always seen the Road of Life as a labyrinth of opportunities with each road leading to different outcomes and experiences. You're given an infinite number of combinations and permutations and you're responsible for the choices you make and the places your choices lead you to.

When you start out, others decide your course. They set you on the path they think is best for you. You don't get many choices until you've acquired what you need to prepare you to go the journey alone.

Sometimes you take a risk and go off the beaten path. But you discover things that others never will.

Sometimes you try a shortcut only to discover you're so far from your intended destination it's impossible to get back. Your resources don't allow it or you've burned your bridges and limited your opportunities.

Sometimes you wander down a path only to discover a dead-end. You have to turn around and try again. It might look like you've wasted time but you've gained valuable knowledge and experience, if you recognize how to use it.

Sometimes you have to deliberately get lost in order to find yourself.

Sometimes you find you're on a road that is all uphill. There are obstacles and roadblocks you must overcome. You are all alone. But you're going up while others, discouraged, have given up, turned around and gone off in search of an easier path.

Sometimes the paths that we think will take us where we want to be do not give us the satisfaction we'd expected upon arrival. Sometimes along the way we stumble upon a place that surprises us and we decide to spend longer there than we might have first anticipated.

Life is a series of many roads. We choose our paths.

So roads may be unchangeable, inflexible, but the traveler is not, unless he chooses to be.

And when at last, we arrive at our final destination, is it as important where we are as it is who we have become?

[Elizabeth]

Ray,

That was a good finding of the Essential Arts. I will keep it on hand and put it in practice. We all know I can benefit from it. ;)

[bambiangel]

"It is not how much you do, but how
much love you put in the doing."

And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.

Ernest Becker:

I think that taking life seriously means something such as this: that whatever man does on this planet has to be done in the lived truth of the terror of creation, of the grotesque, of the rumble of panic underneath everything. Otherwise it is false. Whatever is achieved must be achieved with the full exercise of passion, of vision, of pain, of fear, and of sorrow. How do we know ... that our part of the meaning of the universe might not be a rhythm in sorrow?



just wanted to share 3 of the things I have lived my life by ,a few slips here and there but these things have always put me back upright
.

[Lane]

Thanks Kaysar for opening such a thought provoking forum....I think everything you've written and everyone else has shared in this thread really ties us all together as human beings...we all travel in this path called life...it's like traveling on the freeway...figuring what exit to take...where will this road lead me...sometimes we'll come upon a road block...and we are all tested on how to deal with those things....if we're lucky, we can learn to find strength in one's self to overcome those obstacles....and by doing so, we gain wisdom to living a more healthy, happy life...and learn from others who have done the same.

[tnaftal]

Kaysar I'm curious as to what you were pondering when you began thinking about this topic. :)

[Cperazzi]

I believe that nothing happens to us by accident, not even watching a summer television show. This thread on this day is a good example.

About 5 years ago, I met the best friend I am likely ever to have on this world. Keith taught me more about living in Truth than I had learned in the previous 50 years. He had lived a life that was focused on the world and self for 35 years until he turned his life around and prayed for direction. After that, he spent his time helping others and giving of himself. His wisdom helped me through caring for my father who had Alzheimer's until his passing.

Sadly, Keith was estranged from his family and they didn't get to see what a wonderful man he had become. At the age of 44, he got cancer and died on January 4 of this year. Even though I live in Virginia, Keith lived in Hawaii and his family lives in Texas, we (his family and I) met and talked on the Internet and I realized how little they knew of him. I began sharing with them and trying to help them understand.

I am in Texas now to meet with them in person and have been seeking wisdom. I have found inspiration in this thread. Thank you to each of you who have contributed thus far. Please pray that my words can bring comfort to this family as I share with them what I know of their son's life. He was truly an amazing man.

Cindi

[blueeyesdebbie22]

Originally posted by Kaysar
In order to navigate the road of life it is important to never be the road itself. Rather, you must be the engineer of the road. The engineer sets the conditions of the road (length, width, direction, and even quality of work), positioned to reap the benefits of a job well done. Even if the job proves to be unsuccessful, valuable skills and wisdom are aquired after every task.
The road is fastened to the earth with its path set. This lack of versatility translates to vulnerability to its environment. More importantly, a road is only focused on direction and destination and not the details of its existance, skewing the road's limited perspective of future endevours.

This is so very true, "Even if the job proves to be unsuccessful, valuable skills and wisdom are aquired after every task". In my own words, I try to past that onto my daughters.
Thank you for making that post.

[Gina]

Kaysar,
What an inspiraing thread you have created. Just this sunday my pastor said it doesnt matter what you do in life everyone is important in this world and you play an important part. If you are a housewife, actor, teacher and being on a summer TV show :) Everyone has a purpose.
Thank you for creating this thread I love it when you get our minds to working LOL.

[karina]

I think that I will learn the most in this forum. thank you!

[Winter80-sara]

Thanks Kaysar. I have learned so much already. Thank you for having such and open mind. You are so wise.

[GO1984]

Great topic! Choosing words carefully...so many wrinkles in my forehead now Kaysar-THANKS! ;)

Now-people often say God has a plan ie. road/path for each and every one of us. So...are we the engineers, or are we the construction workers that maintain the road and the travelers by which it's used? Sometimes, I do think we can be the "Engineers" of a road if we try to live life without God's guidance. Sometimes...speaking for myself...there is a snowstorm and the road isn't visible for a while, but when it clears, and it is safe to proceed is when there is a sense of relief.

[anii]

Originally posted by Kaysar
In order to navigate the road of life it is important to never be the road itself. Rather, you must be the engineer of the road. The engineer sets the conditions of the road (length, width, direction, and even quality of work), positioned to reap the benefits of a job well done. Even if the job proves to be unsuccessful, valuable skills and wisdom are aquired after every task.
The road is fastened to the earth with its path set. This lack of versatility translates to vulnerability to its environment. More importantly, a road is only focused on direction and destination and not the details of its existance, skewing the road's limited perspective of future endevours.

Okay, well you've piqued my interest.

Is there more?

Is this an overview of your speech?

Curious here. :)

[Debookwrm]

Okay, it worked. I’m thinking.

God is the architect; he’s always been the architect from my point of view. I can’t change that and wouldn’t choose to. Therefore, by process of elimination, the person with the most control from there is me, the engineer.

I know that each of us has a path. We make choices in our life as our destination changes. Some of us want success as we define it, others wealth, others fame…others a greater reward. And as we move along the path, we lose focus of our original destination and seek other destinations.

As engineers we are limited :) by the ‘lack of versatility’ it has due to certain things that are certain…such as birth, death, environment, parents, birth rank, privilege, caste, society, heritage, and physical persona. But even some of those things can be overcome if we choose the right turn in the road. To go through, rather than around the mountain, to cross the river here or there, to go through the forest or around it…all of these things change who we are by their difficulty or challenge.

As human beings we’ve been given this wonderful freedom of choice. Our life is ours to do with as we choose. Our destination is determined by the choices we make, and how we react to what those choices bring to us.

The path is set; choose the right path…not the easy path…the right path.

Deb

[blueeyesdebbie22]

I have always been a firm believer in your life is excatly what you make it. If you are unhappy with any aspect of your life, you have the power to make the change.

[Ginamarie]

We are the workers who maintain the road God has laid out for us. It is our choice to decide which turns we'll make. What hills we will climb, and some that we will fall down. Each intersection opens up a slew of paths, all which have different outlets.

While nobody likes to fail, and maybe fail isn't the appropriate word, it's those failures that make us stronger. They give us purpose to learn from them and to, again, make choices to either change our direction or remain in "limbo" unsure of our path ahead.

What a fantastic topic! Everyone's perception can be different, but it's a wonderful kind of different because everyone's road is their road. It's when we intersect and travel together that makes this world a better place! :)

Thanks Kaysar!

[cvcissell]

There's a very busy road by my parents house and one summer the neighbors blocked off each end and had a block party. The women made cakes and pasta salads and the men grilled chicken, brats and pork chops. I was really young at the time and I remember sitting down on the pavement. It was warm and I sat cross-legged watching everyone talk and laugh and I remember thinking how odd it was that just yesterday people were driving their cars here, going somewhere, on a mission. Now it was static yet more meaningful.

[-diana-]

Wise words of wisdom

[-diana-]

One of my favs.

"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail"
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

[sonshine]

This is all very good, I love an intellectually stimulating conversation.
Life does look so much brighter when you look at the glass as half full instead of 1/2 empty.......and this is true, God has given us the choice as to how we go down that road, lets all make the right choices, but if we fall, God is always there to welcome us back with open arms, and we as humans, shall do the same, love one another and be there for each other.

Love ya all,
Cindy

[Tara]

WOW...Once again my thought process and curiosity has been piqued... Kaysar...you speak and write so eloquently. You are wise beyond your years and never cease to amaze me..


Originally posted by blueeyesdebbie22
I have always been a firm believer in your life is excatly what you make it. If you are unhappy with any aspect of your life, you have the power to make the change.

Deb...I agree with you. I believe a person creates what is going on in their life.. I know someone who is always unhappy, complaining about not feeling well or never having enough money etc... and that's exactly was they have created for themselves...constant Doctor's visits without a job or insurance... On the other hand... I've seen people who don't have a lot of money but they are happy, positive and focus on the wonderful things in life and out of that behavior they've created the money through a job promotion or unexpected tax refund.... Declare it, Own it, Believe it... and be Thankful in advance

[anii]

Originally posted by FranzKafka
Beautiful, Kaysar.

The art of navigating the road of life is not to be a victim of what happens to you; but rather to be an architect of the road and making things happen.

The art of problem-solving lies in your attitude and approach to the problem; think positively, often the problem lies in how we look at things.

The art of positive thinking is to have a positive image of yourself not by proclaiming your goodness in words but proclaim your goodness in deeds.

The art of bring you-nique is not in how you appear but rather in letting what you do and how you do it be a reflection of what you are.

You are the only “you” that there is; no one can think with your mind, speak with your voice and smile with your face, cry with your tears or act with your body but you. So be the best “you” that you can be.

As you choose good, decent and pleasant people to associate with, make yourself deserving of those associations. (Would you befriend “you” if you were someone else?)

The art of speaking is not in the volume of words or sound but rather in the wisdom of the content. (Do not say all that you think and think carefully of what you say).

The art of criticism lies not in succeeding to find faults, but in finding a means whereby the fault is realized and corrected.

The art of disagreement is not in being hostile and adamant but in being able to disagree without being disagreeable.

The art of joyfulness is not only being happy yourself but in increasing that joy by bringing happiness to the lives of others.

The art of inspiring is to uplift others by suggestion and demonstration rather than by injunction and dictation.

The art of social living is not to appear better than others but in bringing out the best in yourself and facilitate bringing out the best of others.

The art of solitude is not only in occupying yourself when you are alone but in enjoying the company of the one you are alone with.

The art of personality is to commit yourself to being of benefit to the world and occupy yourself with so much striving to improve yourself that you have less time to criticize others.

The art of life is not passing time in this world, but is to be like the candle recognizing the inevitability of death while bringing light to the world as it is consumed. (The reality of life is change, the challenge of life is to live it to its full, the lesson of life is its temporariness, the wisdom of life is to learn from the past and leave a better world for the future.)

Wow, Ray. I've gotta say, that's definitely one for the bulletin board. I've already printed it out.

You are one thoughtful AND thought-provoking writer. Thanks for making my day.

:)

[anii]

Originally posted by -diana-
One of my favs.

"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail"
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Oh, I like this too.

<print>

:)

[Honeybeebaby]

You know alot of roads lead to nowhere! You can build a road all the way across the world, doesn't mean anyone is going to travel it...However, for you I see the road has been kind...Some roads are filled with obstacles that make crossing them difficult, not everyone has a clear path ahead of them and sometimes get lost along the way...a detour on the road... but I understand to a point that everyone controls their own destiny...perhaps our roads may pass along the way somewhere.

With Love,
Honey

[IowaGal1975]

"Two roads diverged in the woods and I, I took the one less traveled by...." ~ Robert Frost

I totally love that thought and this thread, lol.

[BaileyRoberts]

I have a child with and work with children with autism and this piece has always had meaning for me.

A Hundred Years From Now

One hundred years from now,

it will not matter what my bank account

was, how big my house was, or

what kind of car I drove;

But the world may be

a little better, because I was

important in the life of a child.

[cvcissell]

Bailey,
I have a son with Aspergers...it has changed my path in ways I never imagined but I have a positive attitude about it. He's a great kid and very smart and sees the world in ways I've never considered. Vicky

[flowerpower]

We all have a purpose in life, it's our job to find it.
This is what I believe.

[addyw]

After reading that, I am now going to rethink it. I am not happy with my job, but I will not be making any rash decisions now. You really opened my eyes tonight...thanks so much. ;)

[kayfan007]

Originally posted by addyw
After reading that, I am now going to rethink it. I am not happy with my job, but I will not be making any rash decisions now. You really opened my eyes tonight...thanks so much. ;)

Thats so great to hear. I definently think it is best to go through all your options before making decisions which could put you on a totally different path. Im all for taking risks and chances in life, but I like to make sure I will not regret the decision before I make it.

[melly]

Thank for the words of *wisdom* kaysar. :) seems we could all use inspiring words to get us through the day. that last paragraph was really powerful. It really makes you think about your own life & what exactly you need to do to make it everything you NEED it to be!!

LOVE that passage FRANZ!! Gosh, i feel so moved now....i wanna go out and do something productive. geez...this thread is really making me think.

You are the only “you” that there is; no one can think with your mind, speak with your voice and smile with your face, cry with your tears or act with your body but you. So be the best “you” that you can be.
I like this ^^ one best. One of my FAVE passages EVER is similar to that. ;)

[TheHopToad]

These are all very inspiring words of wisdom. One of my favorites is The Essence of Destiny:

"Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Choose your words, for they become actions. Understand your actions, for they become habits. Study your habits, for they will become your character. Develop your character, for it becomes your destiny."

[STella668]

There is a story, and it may be true, or an urban legend, I haven't bothered to snopes it, about a campus being laid out and landscaped once the buildings were up, and the opening day announced.

And according to this story, the chief designer was hauled onto the carpet before his bosses, and asked, heatedly, "Why haven't you made any sidewalks? You have beautiful lawns, but no sidewalks! People will be cutting across the grass and RUINING the lawn!"

"Ah, no...." the old guy said. "Next summer, after the students've showed us which paths get heavy use, and which do not, we'll put in the right sidewalks, in the right places."

Yes, we're the craftspeople of our lives, but you CANNOT push a river.


Sometimes it's necessary to jump in, kick butt, take names, and DO.

At other times, it's wiser to sit down, light a smoke, and reflect on the folly of pushing a river,

ST*, still thinkin'

[kaysarluvr]

I'd love to see this thread grow with many thought provoking sayings! I am always looking for the good in lifes situations!

[louvina]

kaysar, your post was very interesting and enlightening! Please, tell us more!

[RhyanShae]

What I personally love is that the road doesn't have to be straight, and it doesn't have to be one way. The beauty of designing your life, and in turn, just being yourself, not allowing another to define your path, define who you'll be and who you've been is amazing and can't be described.

Everyone, including Kaysar, has posted very inspirational words, and I thank you for them. I love seeing how other minds work, connect, and eventually come to communicate their ideas.


One of the things I've been questioned on in my short life is making a choice most of my family, and even some of my friends, see as a mistake. I made a decision that decided how my road would be in life, and a lot of them disagreed. I didn't choose to follow the path so much of my family did, which is to become a teacher. I admire the profession too much to go into it just to have a stable job. If I'm going to teach, I want it to be because in my heart, in my soul, in the depth of me, I yearn to do so and make a difference. I couldn't do that. I chose my path.

It's not been a fun road, and quite frankly, it's full of pot holes and a few speed bumps, and while I think every life has them, some have them more than others. I've not always made the good choice. Sometimes, I made the road straight and simple, sometimes, it's been made a construction zone!

I guess why I'm sharing it is that I firmly believe in the individual. I believe in being yourself, accepting yourself, accepting your faults, your pluses, and the path you've chosen. I believe that while you are your own engineer, it doesn't hurt to meet with more educated engineers to help you find out what you want.

Oy, I'm rambling. I should know better than to post when sick. Anyway, I just want to thank everyone for giving me something to think about and ramble about. It's been a long time since I've had that happen on a forum.

[Ladyjinx]

Its true that you build your own roads, and should you succeed or fail you learn skills and wisdom from it. However, i think roads should be built with care, or you can easly cause harm to others around you.
(ok i suck at philosophy type stuff and i've had no sleep in a couple days lol)
sorry to mess up a great thread.

[Debookwrm]

It's not been a fun road, and quite frankly, it's full of pot holes and a few speed bumps, and while I think every life has them, some have them more than others. I've not always made the good choice. Sometimes, I made the road straight and simple, sometimes, it's been made a construction zone!

If the road were easy to build and had no problems along the way...if it were simple to navigate or was straight on forever...what would be the challenge? How would it shape who we are as human beings?

I would rather hit those pot holes, speed bumps and construction zones than to drive on forever and never experience the road. It is the experience that makes us who we are. IMHO

Deb

[Debookwrm]

Originally posted by Ladyjinx
Its true that you build your own roads, and should you succeed or fail you learn skills and wisdom from it. However, i think roads should be built with care, or you can easly cause harm to others around you.
(ok i suck at philosophy type stuff and i've had no sleep in a couple days lol)
sorry to mess up a great thread.

I don't think that expressing your truth is going to mess up anything. You bring up a good point...taking care of the enviornment...people. I agree.

Deb

[Marie_S]

I took one philosophy course in university and that was enough for me. Metaphors and fluffy talk never really captured my interest for long. :cool: ;)

K you have quite the following. :P Were you once a shepherd? haha. Do you do Hallmark cards? Hehe just kidding. Don't ban me, I am just teasing :P

[Elizabeth]

Don't worry, Marie. You're not alone. Piaget estimates that while almost all adults are capable of formal operational thinking and higher order thought processes, fewer than 12% utilize these skills. This means 88% of the public has little interest in said "fluff."

[Marie_S]

I believe I read those statistics in a textbook once. :P I think it was my intro to psychology textbook, but I would have to refer back to be sure. Actually, many of the sentiments here remind me of writings from the Chicken Soup series. :D Pondering the meaning of life is something I believe we all do and can be quite enjoyable on a quiet rainy afternoon.

Very encouraging to see many of the K fans reaching beyond their normal lower level of intellectual functioning and into the realm of K's higher order of thinking. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.;) though I suspect your motive was not intentional.;):)

[Elizabeth]

Absolutely, you're welcome. It's what my master's is in so I definitely can appreciate that aspect of Kaysar.

[Marie_S]

My Master's degree is in Social Work so my orientation is more of a practical approach to solving individual and social problems.

Honestly, I do see the personal instrinsic value one would receive from pondering the meaning of life.

Is there much work with a Master's in philosophy?? Though I suspect if one comes from money there is no need to work and obtaining an education would be merely a pleasurable way to past the time. hehe;) Oh wouldn't that be nice. :) It has been an interesting thread I must say.

[Keria324]

Thanks Kaysar for ur words it's very useful to me as well as others

[ashleyheartskaysar]

First of all: lovely post. I love your mind :) lol


Ans second: thank you for making a forum where we can discuss politics, current events, and all that jazz :) lol (Sorry, Chicago stuck in my head :) People didn't like discussing these things in the Gen Chat.

[KanadaLovesKaysar]

All I have to say to this, and I'm not reading anyone else's retorts, is FINALLY Kaysar...something that sounds like YOU and finally a breath of fresh REAL air, which is why I would seek to come to a forum hosted by such a highly intelligent, intriguing person...yet the topics were really nil....at least for those of us who are seeking a, well, higher level of discourse than what has been offered so far. (One small exception for me has been my experience in the "Questions on Kaysar's Religion" forum.)

But now I'm somewhat mystified....as why this?? Why now?? Well, whatever motivations led you to this is bringing you closer to your mission, imho....so cheers...

Now even I am off to ponder on this one!!! Job well done!!! Now have someone steal you some XMB board smilies.....J/K!!!

:cool: