being accomplished

  This blog is turning into somewhat of a continuing conversation. Yesterday I was thinking about characters. In all of that I mentioned the possibility of reward. I do think the majority of us operate on that premise, that a reward is forthcoming. It is only in the immediacy of that reward that we vary. Patience is a virtue, that's the lesson I was taught. Still there is always the concern that time will run out. It has happened to me more than once so far, and I expect it will again. At some point, there will be no more time. Of course the promise is eternity. That's what heaven is portrayed to be, an endless period of happiness, devoid of sickness, infirmary or despair. Time will not run out.

 Since we were small children we have been programmed to accomplish things. Those things are obvious when we are children, learning to walk, talk, read, write, pass the grade, graduate high school, go to college, get a job, learn a trade, whatever. All accomplishments. We even celebrate and receive congratulations when we retire, having accomplished reaching a certain age. It's an accomplishment. And then we reflect upon the hundreds of small accomplishments we made along the way. We discover that personal growth takes part in the accomplishments of those we love. To see the accomplishments they have made. It starts with your children and then grandchildren. I haven't reached that plateau yet but I expect the great grands will renew that as well. 

 All of that is a reward. You can't place a value on that. It can not be measured. You can credit yourself however. Isn't that the strangest thing when you really think about it? You try to do the right things, make the right choices, do what is best and in the end you discover you are doing that not for yourself, but for others. It's strange when we give ourselves credit for others accomplishments. But, that is the reward! 

 The greatest reward we can receive is to be remembered. It's a reward we may never know, depending upon your belief in the afterlife. It's a question I ask myself, will I know? I wonder if you know it when you are dead. Do you wake up and say, man, I'm dead. Beyond that are you aware of what is going on in the world. It would have to be the world you just left unless you can make new friends in heaven. Are there neighborhoods? It is something I think about and suspect many others do as well. It explains monuments, memorials, philanthropy, and foundations, all methods to remembrance. Since the beginning of time man has sought to be remembered. It is the ultimate reward, but not one enjoyed by you.   And that is a real paradox. How do you achieve immortality? Now that, that is an accomplishment. Immortality isn't living forever, immortality is being remembered forever. Perhaps that is what heaven is really all about, the Hall of Fame for the immortals. The Hindu religion, among others, believe in reincarnation. That is, you keep coming back in one form or another until you "get it right." When that happens you are in the hall of Fame. How do you accomplish that? Reward is awarded. That means the reward comes from someone else. Seems reasonable that you would have to please the someone else. That is basis for most religions. Pleasing what can't be seen. A matter of belief? Yes, and I believe the majority of us just want to be remembered. It's up to us what we are remembered for. All men are created equal, all results are not. The question is, do you only get one chance? Or are we recycled and that is why history repeats itself. Everything goes in cycles, everything. The only trick is in remembering. Thing is, others have to do that for you.