Some days, I wake and wonder – what needs doing, what has not been done, where can I be of help, make a difference to someone? It is the right question, of course, answer not always clear. Still it comes asking, in every time of year. Why – why does it matter? Because we do, and life moves fast.
Think back. Life seems, too often, an accelerating dash. Was it not just yesterday … Were the kids not just … our parents … ourselves? Were we not just dreaming of the day … working hard to make our way? True, but there is a deeper truth, something that, for most, escaped us in our youth.
Life moves fast for sure, but we can regulate its pace, slow ourselves for others, make a difference, not make haste. We can listen and respond, use our experience to allay the fear everywhere today.
Only those who have lived enough to know, can serve as guides to those brought low. Only those who appreciate that the world has often run astray, can say, with authority, “It will be okay.”
Looking around, much that was once peaceful, reassuring, offered security to children is missing, in its place anxiety, people filled with distrust, wary, and afraid. But here is a truth known by prior generations, passed to us by those who had to really fight: We can make it right.
So, when you hear that things are irretrievable, in a human way hopeless, lean into that discussion, engage, and do not walk away. This, by the grace of God, is your day. Here is a chance to speak from the heart, to offer what you know from what you lived, the promise of joy, the benefit of strife.
Hopelessness has no place. Still, it creeps from all directions, especially on the young. Hope is, by contrast, forever real, a product of faith, gratitude, and grounding, something we can offer.
So, what is the point? Make the most of every day, give as much as you can to those you can, with a heart that passes forward, because that is our obligation, what we were taught, what we know. Rise with the sun and dare, because life moved fast for them. Still, they cared.
One who did especially, who wrote despite life’s speed – who consciously slowed life- was Ralph Waldo Emerson. Wrote Emerson, “The purpose of life … is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived …”
The secret? It does not matter who you are; that truth holds. How do we make the most of time? How do we slow life and resolve not to waste it? We do, as he suggested, and as many have done. Wrote Thoedore Roosevelt, who lived fully, died young, but left his mark: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” He reflected Emerson: “It is not length of life, but depth of life.”
So, keep in mind that, whatever your age, health, disposition, you matter. You can change the life of others still with what you know, your goodness and resolve. Yes, life moves fast, but that is not a problem.
Perhaps the best British companion to Emerson, another of my favorites, was William Wordsworth. What did he say?: “The best portion of a good man’s life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.” We can all use more of that and give more of that. Why? Life moves fast.
Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, attorney, and naval intelligence officer (USNR). He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (2018), and is National Spokesman for AMAC. Robert Charles has also just released an uplifting new book, “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness” (Tower Publishing, 2024).
Or another British writer who said:
“And in the end;
The love you take;
Is equal to the love you make.”
It might be a good day to donate a bag of canned goods (or $100) to your local food bank.
RBC, great article. The last three paragraphs were especially good.
That Ralph W. Emerson quote — ” The purpose of life…is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived.” That is a right , proper outlook to have.. What you wrote RBC — ” Only those who appreciate that the world has often run astray ,can say, with authority, ” It will be okay “. Very good thought .Some days I like to listen to the Ave Maria. ( especially a version by the Sunday Choir – Canada) And sometimes that song by Jackie De Shannon – “What the World Needs Now is Love ” recorded in 1965 – ever since first listening to it then I always felt it was as much of a prayer as it was a song that was nice to listen to. She sang with a Reverence for those words. I never thought it was , or that she was part of the counter culture then . Would not have praise for it or her if I thought that was the case. Approaching ways to deal with so many things these days – it could be said. it takes skill – one of most important I reckon is to remember that evil cannot, should not be left unchallenged when encountered . Everyone has different circumstances to deal with but some effort should be made to defend Faith,Family and Freedom . That counter culture of the 1960’s was for the most part very bad , very negative – compared to this recent so-called Woke stuff – in some ways it was less damaging to society , but it got some things started that surely were not part of God’s plan for a good life based on kindness and fairness. Encouragement of the good , positive things mentioned in this article is the right outlook . Genuine good spirit in this article ,much appreciated !
Thank you. Great article. Good reminders.
Thank you Sir! Sobering thoughts. At 86, I have seen a few things. How can I help, can I make a difference? In 2012 I was alerted to the “unsustainable” Debt Crisis – $16 trillion and $250 billion interest. I developed a plan to help pay down the principal to reduce the interest debt service. The financial community had a different focus. Finally, Elon Musk suggests using DOGE savings to pay down the now $36+ trillion principal. Lots more help is needed. As you say, Robert, the purpose of life is to be useful. Maybe it is time for my outside the box plan? amac Action can make it work.
WOKE!