Consumerism has a way of telling us what we want without really knowing who we are.
It\’s safe to assume that most of us want to be healthy, have significant relationships and not carry any debt.
But that doesn\’t mean we all want to have a six-pack, bed as many people as we can or be incredibly wealthy. You would think that those are the ultimate goals for life, according to Madison Avenue.
It\’s just not true.
However, upon self-reflection you might discover that you\’ve been more influenced by these messages than you might care to admit.
That\’s why it is important to know ourselves.
What is really important to you?
Who is really important to you?
And what do you want to be when you \”grow up\”?
Do you really believe that having more money will make you happy? What about more stuff? How about a faster car or bigger house?
Are you in your current career because it\’s what your parents said you should do?
Do you get up in the morning and think to yourself, \”When do I get to do what I want to do?\”
Certainly, there are plenty of sacrifices we must make for others in our lives. When children come along, all bets are off.
But even within the context of parenting, tending to an ill family members or having to hold down three jobs just to pay the bills, there is still the burning question… \”What do I really want to do with my life?\”
In the film City Slickers, Billy Crystal\’s character, Mitch, is alone with Curly, played by Jack Palance.
The dialogue went like this:
Curly: Do you know what the secret of life is?
[holds up one finger] This.
Mitch: Your finger?
Curly: One thing. Just one thing. You stick to that and the rest don\’t mean s***.
Mitch: But, what is the \”one thing?\”
Curly: That\’s what you have to find out.
What is your one thing?
What is the thing that if money were no object, you would do that thing?
I believe everyone has at least one BIG dream in them. I believe it is placed there by God, and when we pursue that dream we are pursuing our purpose.
There are those who will ridicule your dream. Sometimes the people closest to us can become our biggest antagonists.
They take delight in shooting holes in your dream. It makes them feel better about not pursuing THEIR big dream. Sad, but true.
What are you passionate about? What knowledge have you acquired over the years? What kind of skills have you learned? What have your experiences taught you?
Combine the answers to these questions with your personality type and you have a very unique YOU!
Today, I would challenge you to examine what you are doing and why you are doing it.
Is it what you REALLY want to do? Be honest with yourself.
If it isn\’t, I\’m not suggesting you shirk your responsibilities.
But perhaps it is time to set a new course of action. If you are going to eat an elephant, you are going to have to do it one bite at a time. And some ketchup might help. And a very big fork.
What will it take for you to live the dream of that \”one thing\”?
Maybe it\’s back to school. Perhaps you\’ll need someone else\’s assistance to make it happen. It could be that opportunity is just around the corner.
Don\’t chase the dreams sold by those who just want you to buy something… those who would seek to convince you that you aren\’t okay as the person you are.
Pursue YOUR dreams.
I promise you this. When you seek to be the person you were created to be, it will be impossible to fail.
With God\’s help, all things are possible.
As the old saying goes, \”Today is the first day of the rest of your life.\”
Live it well, my friends. Live it well.
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