Are you living your own story? I mean, I know that you are alive and no one else has your spot (you aren’t a robot or alien replacement are you?). Yet, for so many of us, we get wrapped up in many other issues around us so that we almost cease to focus on our own life.
Now, at times, that is a wonderful, selfless act, giving service to another. Caring for what is going on in the lives of others is important. Keep it up. But, in the process, don’t allow yourself to become so consumed with others that you somehow stop living your own life.
Sam, from The Lord of the Rings, had to confront this challenge. Through the story, Sam had morphed from the somewhat goofy Gardener into the hero of the story has he helped Frodo complete the ring quest. Some commentators have even suggested that Sam is the MAIN hero (in lieu of Frodo, Aragorn or Gandalf) because he stayed true at several critical moments.
However, even though he is growing and changing, he still sees himself as Frodo’s protector and main helper. After the Hobbits make their way back to their homeland, Sam soon becomes an important figure in The Shire. Still, he moved his new family into Frodo’s home at Bag End and watched over his friend.
Finally, a few years after they completed the quest of destroying the ring of power, Frodo prepared to move on. In J.R.R. Tolkien’s universe, there was a heaven-like place that the elves could go to, but no one else. The elves didn’t die, but went to the land beyond the sea to live forever in peace and happiness. Because Frodo had carried the great ring of power, the elves had afforded he and his mentor, Bilbo, the privilege of going with them.
The thing is, though, that Sam, the faithful companion doesn’t know about it. The parting then is very bittersweet. Frodo realizes that Sam, if he doesn’t focus on the living, could slip into a deep depression, a cold life that is lost in memory of the past. Frodo doesn’t want that for Sam, so he gives him something significant.
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The red book is how Tolkien explained that the Hobbits kept their history. A long history had been recorded in the red book, so in a symbolic gesture, Frodo gives Sam the book, saying, “the last pages are for you Sam.”
In Tolkien’s writings, Frodo says, “You cannot be always torn in two. You will have to be one and whole, for many years. You have so much to enjoy and to be, and to do.” What a beautiful sentiment that encourages Sam to live and to live well.
I love the end of the book, and the movie. As Sam surveys his land, hugging his family, he breathes, “Well, I’m back.” And, indeed he is. He lives on well, becoming the Mayor of the Shire (the equivalent of their President). I am sure that he often thought of Frodo and their quests together, their lives intertwined. Yet, he chose to live and live well.
Spend your energy on others. I’ve said as much here in various posts. Giving to others is a crucial aspect of our communal shared life together. However, don’t forget to live your own life.
The last pages are for you…now, start writing the story.
This post is a part of a longer series about the power of the words from J.R.R. Tolkien. This past summer of 2011, I took my daughters to see the trilogy of The Lord of the Rings that was back in the theaters for a special run. It was a blast! During the last night watching The Return of the King, I was struck again by how powerful Tolkien’s words and ideas are. The other blog posts are listed here; check them out if you missed one of the series.
- Wisdom of the West— http://carlcreasman.com/blog/?p=1195
- Living a Worthy Life— http://carlcreasman.com/blog/?p=1227
- Don’t Get Stuck– http://carlcreasman.com/blog/?p=1240
- Not all Tears are Evil– http://carlcreasman.com/blog/?p=1297