Deep Holes

I heard an analogy the other day that applies to how most of us live our lives.  "We are digging deep holes where there is no water."  I have done this in so many ways.  Looking for relief in places where none is to be found.  Continuing down a path thinking that I am getting closer to an answer that is at the end of a different rainbow.  Constant reminders of these false holes are all around me.  The son of my good friends in Chamonix is a professional para-glider and is surrounded by individuals who cling to adrenaline and athletic achievement for purpose in life.  I painted this painting for them after their long time instructor died in a para-gliding accident flying around Mt. Blanc.  It is a flight that every strong para-glider esteems to do and for which the conditions are rarely optimal.  The winds were turbulent and threw her into the mountainside.  When I asked my friend if it brought up fear or doubt about what he does, he told me that he knows his skill level and knows the risks.  These illusions that we feed ourselves to ease our doubts are endless.  We chase feelings, success, and material wealth hoping that it will satisfy this craving that we have deep in our gut.  The lies make us feel better about our lives and give us a false sense of purpose.  I am here to be the best para-glider in the world, I am here to be a nurturing mother, I am here to be a world leader, I am here to invent the next greatest advancement in technology, I am here to have the biggest house and fastest car.  But these lies have to continue past the achievement of what we wanted because as soon as we get it we realize that it did not solve all of our problems and we are no happier than we were before we had it.  So we continue digging deeper and deeper in our hole hoping to find the water where there is none.  I also have a friend who spends all of his time training for triathlons and bike races.  He is always working towards the next level and says that it's frustrating and motivating to know that someone is always better than him.  When I asked him what he was chasing after, he told me the feeling of accomplishment.  I asked him if he ever satisfied his craving for that sensation and he replied, "no there is always more I could do."  The purpose and joy in life do not come from these outside sources that form mirages of happiness.  Yet we spend our lives running after them blindly stumbling towards what we hope will give us pleasure.  We all need to stop running and take a moment to look.  We contain the true spring to quench our thirst within us and would find it if we simply take our heads out of these holes we are digging and reconnect with our souls.