I recently sat down and watched the 1989 movie "Field of Dreams" again. For some unexplained reason, it spoke to me louder than it did the first couple of times that I experienced it. In a strange sort of way, I found it more powerful and relevant in relation to how upside down our world seems to be at this moment.
"Ray, they will come, Ray." As Terence Mann, portrayed by James Earl Jones, rose from his bleacher seat on the first base line of the Field Of Dreams at that Iowa farm and spoke those words, he immediately had my attention. His large stature combined with his booming voice could draw you in even if he was just trying to sell you phone service. In this case, his size and resonating voice were not what had me hooked.
I have always been a fan of the crazy, underdog dreamers. Dreamers live on the edge because they are often ahead of the curve, and it can be a frightening place to exist. The trials can be significant for those who reach out and follow a dream. However, the rewards are unsurpassed in their power to lift up as well as give you peace. Ray Kinsella heard the voice in the cornfield say, "If you build it, they will come." The voice later encouraged Ray, played by Kevin Costner, to "go the distance." I was hooked because Terence was finally telling Ray he was right to listen and "go the distance." It wasn't about money. It was about helping others find peace.
Those phrases were powerful but only took me halfway there. As James Earl Jones continued, he said that people would gladly pay to experience this dream. The phrase that reached out and grabbed me this go-round was, "For it's money they have and peace they lack."
During a time when there is a worldwide economic scramble going on, this observation simply does it for me. We have spent a great deal of time chasing a dollar because we created in our minds what seemed like a rock solid connection between happiness and the dollar. As the world continues on this temporary economic spiral, the myth that the dollar is the foundation of happiness has been debunked. In these tough times, people are discovering how much truth is in the old adage, "money can't buy you happiness."
It can be frightening when that proverbial rug is pulled out from under you or that foundation starts to crumble. However, there is good news for those who have acquired the money, but have not been able to find peace and happiness. You can find honest, sustainable peace and happiness by reaching out to those around you.
Ray Kinsella heard that voice loud and clear. "If you build it, they will come. Go the distance." He wasn't even sure why, but he reached out and built the field. He wasn't sure why, but he went the distance. For some reason, Ray knew that even though it made no financial sense, reaching out with that field was the right path. Ray found his peace by helping others find theirs.
We are all surrounded with opportunities to reach out and make someone's life better. If you lack peace, you will find it there. The question in these stressful and challenging times is, "Are you willing to go the distance?"