He was thinking alone, and seriously racking his brain to find a direction for this single force four times multiplied, with which he did not doubt, as with the lever for which Archimedes sought, they should succeed in moving the world, when some one tapped gently at his door. Alexandre Dumas, “The Three Musketeers”
Every situation you face as an individual and that we face as the body of humanity can be moved with an appropriate application of the principle of Archimedes’ lever. In fact, anything can be moved when you stand metaphorically at the fulcrum and the ability to discern that point is the key to living a gracious, yet productive life.
You have no doubt faced a challenge that seemed to have no exits when you or someone else involved asked a question or made an observation that opened the door to a resolution. I find my self in such situations regularly in business, at home, with friends and elsewhere and I am always thankful when the fulcrum is discovered.
The whereabouts of the fulcrum are often hinted at or disclosed by a “missing element,” that is, something that was overlooked, undervalued or misunderstood. In the case of our country at the moment, I feel that our elected leaders’ lack of cohesive agreement on a direction to take is the “x” marking the spot. Everyone is busy tweaking the noses of everyone else who doesn’t share their views and no one seems to be minding the shop.
W.H. Auden wisely noted: “It takes little talent to see what lies under one’s nose, a good deal to know in what direction to point that organ.” How long will it be before someone comes along to “tap gently on the door” that stands between those we’ve elected to represent us and a brighter future?
If there is one thing I’ve learned in life it is that if you have the capacity to frame the question, then you have the ability and the responsibility to help shape the answer. One of my hopes in maintaining this blog is that I do my part in tapping gently at your door, not to interrupt your thinking, but to help relieve you from “seriously racking your brain” while in search of the fulcrum in your world.
When you truly come to terms with who you are, how influential you and any one person can be, you slowly begin to realize that you are the fulcrum of the world you center. You needn’t search for the fulcrum for it is not a mystical, ethereal or unobtainable place somewhere “out there.” It is in you.
Il y songeait, lui, et sérieusement même, se creusant la cervelle pour trouver une direction à cette force unique quatre fois multipliée avec laquelle il ne doutait pas que, comme avec le levier que cherchait Archimède, on ne parvînt à soulever le monde,—lorsque l’on frappa doucement à la porte. ~ Alexandre Dumas, “Le Trois Mousequetaires”
Gregory Hake 
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Hmmmm – the symptom of “brain racking” then has it’s origin in a misplaced focus of attention. Truly one’s inner landscape is one’s most valuable resource, and if it’s further true that it is inexhaustible as has been stated many times before, then we must ‘lay down our arms’ and stop the fighting and bickering and use our precious energies to help construct the world we envision or else we will exhaust ourselves in the process.
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Great points, thanks!
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I heard someone mention this quote today, which I thought correlated well with your post …
“A prudent question is one half of wisdom.” – Francis Bacon
To be able to ask a well thought out question opens the door to understanding. I’ve also found that it can ignite the desire for further knowledge (even beyond what your original question may have been), creating new and unexpected levels of insight – exciting stuff!
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Something I have been considering lately is being able to do something with the smallest amount of force required. I think that part of being able to do that is finding each situation’s fulcrum. While it is one thing to move a heavy load by pure muscle (and I think that is a useful skill), it is a different tack taken to use finesse instead. Thanks for your thoughts on Archimedes’ fulcrum!
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I have greatly appreciated the spirit behind your words, they have inspired my thoughts and actions to reveal something different that has been stirring deep within for quite some time. As you have so gently tapped on my door, I find myself eagerly answering with an increasing ability to actualize that answer.
Greatly appreciate what you represent, look forward to continuing with you, and eager to provide what you have provided me, to others. Thanks Gregg!
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I love Dumas. Instead of being consumed with the tweaking of noses, we should employ Dumas’ strategy and remember “All for one, one for all, that is our device.”
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Well put!
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Thank you, Gregg. Your dedication to the purpose of your blog is appreciated daily by this reader. Have a great weekend!
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It seems to easy but then I think and realize it is mankind that has made life difficult.
Thanks for the post.
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Great post. Taking control – or rather more crucially, having the confidence to take control – is so vital to happiness. I think a lot of the control we cede to others comes down to not truly believing in our own capabilities. It’s only by taking the chance, and choosing to take charge, that we have the chance to flourish.
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Appreciate the “tapping at the door” you’ve been doing through this blog. I find the topics to be so timely. Your words have helped me help others. Thank you!
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Good to hear. Thank you!
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