Brian’s Reflection: Tuesday, Dec 15, 2009

Formula for success: rise early, work hard, strike oil.

J. Paul Getty, “robber baron”, philanthropist,
born on this date, 1892


BAD formulas for success! And certainly in the materialistic sense, unless one is speaking from hind-sight. “Striking oil” is fairly rare – a matter of luck (perhaps with a little of scientific thought). But it hardly seems “business acumen” to me if you count on luck – but then I might be very naïve on the subject of economical philosophy.

I am personally grateful to J. Paul Getty for just two things. One is the Getty Museum in Mailbu – fabulous – even if most of the things there were “stolen”. But perhaps even more, for the restaurant at the new Getty Museum in LA. They did it right! The restaurant is glass on all sides, looking out over surrounding vegetation and “distant” hills. Usually in sunshine. The tables have white linen tablecloths and napkins. Best of all, the wait-staff wear white aprons that touch the top of their shoes. Perfect! The food and wine are excellent. What more can one ask for on a Tuesday afternoon?

However, as a formula for “spiritual” success, Getty’s aphorism is AOK. Rise reasonably early (Merton said you can’t pray if you don’t see the sunrise); Work “hard”, that is, keep focused; it has nothing to do with how “long” you work from the World’s point of view at Worldly pursuits. “Strike Oil”: this is the Grace of coming in touch with the Divine! From a Worldly point of view, one has to work for it and be lucky. Not so in the “spiritual quest”. We are anointed with the “oil of the spirit” when we open our hearts to the Mystery of God – “unknowable”, etc., but “glimpse-able”. Striking Oil in the earthly Life is a matter of hard work and earning rewards. In the “spiritual world, it “falls our way”.

Giftedness. How do we get “gifted”? By wanting it and asking for it. The God I know is just waiting for that request! That is God’s “purpose” of being and God’s nature. As soon as a human prayer goes up seeking enlightenment, God pounces.

And we are graced. Go ahead. Be bold and trusting (as in “cra do: I trust). You will be blown away!

Brian+