Chipping away to find the beauty within

When meeting with the Navy SEALs last week, I was enlightened in many ways (of which I’m sure you’ll hear more about in the future).

Each of the men separately confided in my son a common piece of advice to use during SEAL training.

One shared thread of truth woven through this fabric of special forces.

A group known as ultimate warriors.

Each looks Camden in the eyes and advises.

Never look too far ahead.

Stay focused only on the evolution at hand.

(An evolution is a term used to refer to a current task during training).

Apparently, one of the foremost reasons for failure during SEAL training is the trainee worrying about the future.

Instead, he should be chipping away at what’s set right before him.

Isn’t this the way so many live.

Stresses of life before our eyes.

And we worry.  Anxious about tomorrow.  Apprehensive about the future.

A choice must be made.  A deliberate chipping away at the colossal glacier of burden.

Intentional chiseling.

Bite sized bits.

Until finally we look back and realize we have slowly but surely made it through the bitter obstacle.

And the beauty of that accomplishment found within the icy block is worth the effort.

The Navy SEALs frequently shout a word during their trainings.

Hooyah.

Hooyah! — the war cry of the Navy SEALs — becomes an automatic response for SEALs during the torturous SEAL training. While there may be other variations in meaning, “hooyah” generally means…”I’m not letting this evolution get the best of me.”  (How the Navy SEALs Work by Lee Ann Obringer)

Might that be our courageous battle cry today.

I’m not letting this get the best of me.

Hooyah!

I am an old man and have known a great many troubles but most of them never happened.  (Mark Twain)

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:34)