September 19, 2013

ISIQ-0257

“We don’t receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.” – Marcel Proust

Today’s image is of the Great Scenic Railway rollercoaster at Luna Park in St Kilda, Melbourne. I took this a few days ago with my family during one of the line-ups for another ride.

Rollercoasters serve as a great metaphor for life – ups, downs, twists, turns, fun, fear, and relief. There’s no way of describing the experience of riding a rollercoaster to someone else; you really need to experience it first-hand yourself to truly understand.

In the same way, our biggest life-lessons are only really learned by first-hand experience, just like in today’s quote. I have one exception to add to this: I believe we can take guidance and insights from others and apply them to our own story.

Later today (I’m writing this at about 6am) I’m delivering my final seminar about my own journey with depression, balance, and finding out what really matters. In the seminar, I aim to share as openly and honestly as I can, so that others can draw their own insights, learn to see the warning signs in their own lives, and correct their course before it hits rock-bottom.

Despite Proust’s quote, I believe there’s value in hearing the stories of others. We ultimately must discover our own wisdom, but we can walk with a guide, or even better – a friend.

With love,
Israel. xo

 

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