Spiritual Reflection: Einstein Quote

This quote by Albert Einstein, which is further reflected in the film clip below, is about belief in your self, your hopes, your abilities and your dreams. Einstein believed he had a spiritual sense of the world where science was used as a vehicle to decipher, understand, admire and find meaning. He didn't believe in traditional religions however he displayed faith in his own abilities of making sense of the world and inspiring others. Regardless of the scepticism showed by those around him Einstein maintained his belief in the world, hence providing people with a richer understanding of nature and the world.



This sentiment is reflected in the film, "The Pursuit of Happiness" where the father encourages his son to believe in himself and his dreams in spite of criticisms from those around him, including his own father. As expressed by the father Chris Gardner who says " you got a dream, you got to protect it" and "if you want something go get it, period". He should not be restricted by social or traditional constraints.


In school, teachers make sure you have "realistic goals". How does one define what goals are realistic and who has the right to limit another person's vision? When you aim high teachers, parents and those around you tend to tell us to aim lower or to stop dreaming. In the words of my mother "be realistic". What's realistic? In my opinion anything can be achieved. Albert Einstein is a prime example of this, he suffered extreme criticism and even failed physics at university. Similar to the movie, I protect my dreams, however I'm realistic in a sense that I know dreams don't achieve themselves. I have to put hard work in. My family and my peers often do not agree with my goals, they are sceptical and believe I talk too soon and aim too high, people like to say things such as " the higher the jump the higher the fall". The way I see it is, if you don't jump at all you'll just stay in the same place forever. Regardless of the risk, you have to be willing to make that jump, and harder yet if you fall you have to gather the strength to put the pieces back together and try jump again.

The thought of a God or a divine being watching over me gives me the strength, confidence and comfort to persevere to achieve my dreams and protect them. I truly believe that God has a plan for me and that God has made me special. Furthermore, criticisms and individuals trying to bring me down, only fuels me on more, gives me more courage to prove myself and achieve my dreams. Drawing on the catholic teaching regarding the virtues, "The Virtue of hope responds to the aspiration to happiness which God has placed in the heart of every man; it takes up the hopes that inspire men's activities and purifies them so as to order them in the Kingdom of heaven; it keeps man from discouragement; it sustains him during times of abandonment ...". As the virtue is part of my religious heritage I can draw on it to understand and interpret my belief in the importance of hope as an essential element of perseverance in order to achieve. My goals are inspired by the virtue of hope and sustained when people abandon their belief in my potential. Moreover, the virtue of hope provides a framework through which I can dedciate my dreams and achievements in a pure form in accordance with the Kingdom of Heaven.