Sure. Small children hear that word constantly. Be sure to clean the fish tank. Be sure to finish your vegetables. Be sure to always wear fresh underwear.
By the time we are grown, we are overwhelmed with things to be sure of. Sometimes, we even lose sight of the simple definition. Sure: free from doubt as to the reliability, character, or action of something.
With all there is to be certain of, F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote his daughter a letter detailing her duties and what shouldn't be worried about. He said:
Don't worry about popular opinion.
Don't worry about dolls
Don't worry about the past
Don't worry about the future
Don't worry about growing up
Don't worry about anybody getting ahead of you
Don't worry about triumph
Don't worry about failure unless it comes through your own fault
Don't worry about mosquitos
Don't worry about flies
Don't worry about insects in general
Don't worry about parents
Don't worry about boys
Don't worry about disappointments
Don't worry about pleasures
Don't worry about satisfactions.
He also had a list of things to think about, or be certain of. The most prominent one being what am I really aiming at?
Then there is the sure, the positive, the yes. The enthusiastic reply to a request for adventure. With our things not to worry about in mind, we also must go with confidence towards what we are aiming for.
Because if it's not worth being certain of, then what's it worth?
Are you sure?
No comments:
Post a Comment