As life reveals itself, it is common that we find ourselves begging for more or less. As a mass, we are undeniably predictable. We either hate, we either love, or we do nothing at all. However, these "predictabilities" are more than less done in the wrong way. Yep, we’ve being doing it all wrong.
Emily Dickinson, a favorite poet of mine includes the line “Go above your nerve,” in her poem “If Your Nerve, Deny You.” And that right there was an insightful piece of knowledge from Ms. Dickinson. Whether or not you are familiar with her poem, are interested in literature, poetry, writing, or even know who she is, “Go above your nerve” should stick with you as you live your life to the beat of that mantra.
All too often I feel as though my feed for daily socialization is covered and smothered within the aura of hate. Why though? Maybe it is because we have such a hate and fear characteristic growing within our culture as new ideas of superiority arise. This is the first of many time I will say this in this article: I dare you, go above your nerve. Fight the urge to hate against the religious, sexual, or political differences you have in your heart. Yes, I said it. Fight it. You’re using your hatred the way no one intended it to be used. Rather, use this hate inside of you to hate the idea of those who cast away others. Be courageous and stand against the societal norm. You’ll find that your personal intuition will be cleansed. This year, more than ever, that suggestion seems almost explicit. Fight above the wounding thoughts and preconceived opinions you have formed without research. We are on this earth for just a short time, do you not think we should live it with each other rather than against each other?
Stop for just a second and close your eyes. Picture all of the people in which your heart beats for; the ones you love. I have my people thought of, pictured, and my heart is glowing. How do you love these people? Who are these people to you: a friend, teacher, boyfriend, girlfriend, parent, or grandparent? I’m going to make a loud statement. You and I both are loving completely wrong. Our time spent with our person probably is not spent for that person, enjoying their smile or the way their eyes crinkle when they laugh. What if that was taken away from you at this very second? Because truthfully, that is reality. It can happen and it does happen. We never expect it to, but someday that person, and all of the time we wasted will come to an end. I have to spill this secret: you will not be able to go to Wal-Mart and buy back time among the 306 other products they sell there. It doesn’t matter how much money you carry in from your piggy bank. As you set your piggy bank on their counter and ask which aisle they sell time, they will look at you regretfully and say “I’m sorry, but we don’t sell that here.”
So why do we continue the routine of disregarding how we really feel? Being afraid of your feelings is not an excuse. There are no right or wrong feelings. There are no excuses. We have such limited time on this earth and holding back from what you are holding inside of you is only a detriment to your ability to go above your nerve. Tell those who you love why you love them and why they hold the amount of value they do. At first you might regret this decision. You might think it is a way to come off as “clingy.” Nonetheless, you will find that now, this person you love knows their worth, their value, and their importance just a bit more. This is something much needed by all of us. If you aren’t standing on the mountaintop exclaiming why you love the people you do then why love them at all?
Ultimately, I can easily state that we all live our lives mundanely. Empty, and without feature. But why? I know we commonly disavow the idea of eccentricity. But why? Do you ever find yourself wondering if those with the eccentric outlook are living life to the fullest? They are not worried about shame nor judgement. Rather, they are concerned with making the most out of the day given to them. This is what Dickinson was so desperately hoping we would go out and do. Live our lives courageously. Go above our own nerve and go above the societal nerve. All in all, if you don’t, what will your legacy tell? That you wore a tailored suit to your high paying job? Not necessarily something to expose your individuality and the life you lived with hope, love, and passion.
So how do these have anything to do with “Going above your nerve?” I guess you could say it doesn’t, that you interpreted it differently. I would tell you that it is taking the easy way out. Going above your nerve isn’t easy and it wasn’t meant to be. Emily Dickinson tells of the coward inside of us who needs oxygen. And she’s right. We all need to discover where our coward quality lies and dismiss it. Give it oxygen so it can become great and resilient. This is more than important and more than necessary to become the person we were intended to be.
You now might find yourself saying “I don’t hate,” or “I love and live to my fullest capacity,” but could you look yourself in the mirror and tell yourself that? Could you turn off the television at night with the company of yourself to occupy your thoughts and know that that is the truth with all of the hate and persecution occurring daily?
So why are we not being the change while going above our nerve and influencing the world towards love, peace, and optimum prosperity? A world which we can all be proud of.
If your Nerve, deny you --
Go above your Nerve --
He can lean against the Grave,
If he fear to swerve --
That's a steady posture --
Never any bend
Held of those Brass arms --
Best Giant made --
If your Soul seesaw --
Lift the Flesh door --
The Poltroon wants Oxygen --
Nothing more –
