“Enthusiasm is the leaping lightning, not to be measured by the horse-power of the understanding.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Not unlike curiosity in the breadth of its power and majesty of its mystery, enthusiasm is given to the holy quality of another realm, other than founded here, on earth.
It has an infectious allure and power beyond bases as it is stricken never beyond hope, and always powerfully optimistic.
Never to be Undermined
The sheer weight of our enthusiasm carries us over many cusps and chasms, ones which even seem impossible and untenable to the naked human eye.
Never to be undermined is this thing that predisposes us to success and the holiness of a totalitarian joy able to quash a troubled spirit.
More than this even, it enraptures a certain capacity for more, despite the discontentment and disenchantment of the fatigued voices it somehow hears in background.
Wandering alone with the Divine it saves note of counsel for this interaction alone, other than simply to enlighten others as to the vision it sees; a wonderful escarpment known beyond the limits of the human mind, into the revelation of the Divine.
Not that it is beyond the reaching; we’re discussing the character of Enthusiasm—which is a mood, an attitude, and a moral competency.
Dissuaded to Hopelessness and Helplessness
Enthusiasm, then, is not given to mirages of despair, though she knows cousins who are. These are frightened by opposite realities that are all too visible.
This quality of zealously innocent passion is choosing for the brightness of joy, the colour of wonder, the contrast of health, and the luminosity of splendour. It cannot be beaten.
Taking Hold of Enthusiasm’s Hand
It is a thing to do and a thing to see. When darkness is seen it is somehow disbelieved for light somewhere over the shoulder. It continues searching until brilliance is found.
As we persons—each with our minds and hearts to enjoy or despair—take with our lives the qualities of enthusiasm, we find the darkness lighted up. It does not contend well with such spiritual work; darkness has no answer to it.
In life we take hold of hands. We must do so to live. However, we do so as a choice, take the hand of darkness or light and myriad fortune of each dialect of reality.
The basic choice rests with us. Will it be enthusiasm beyond the discouraged moment, or will the discouragements that presently weigh heavily cast their shadow ever more over our weary souls?
Just a little over the horizon rests a splendour not recognised from here. Yet, as God is alive, it is surely there!
© 2010 S. J. Wickham.
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