Begin Where You Are

Most of us are guilty of thinking that we are not living up to our true potential because of something that is beyond our reach. In our quiet time we think to ourselves “If only I had…” “If only I did…” “If only I knew then what I know now.” Well those thoughts, or excuses, are our self-written permission slips for a trip to mediocrity. Those statements seem to support the idea that we are subjected to an average life, with average relationships, and average achievements simply because of how we lived “yesterday.” I beg to differ. I think we get what we expect in life. When our experiences change, we may expect more. This is a good thing—no matter when it happens. But whenever it happens, it should be accompanied by a willingness to do more. The life we dream of is always within reach. It’s just a matter of embarking on a relentless pursuit of your goals.
The hardest part is getting started. We spend so much time thinking about why starting where we are cannot work. We decide that we are not willing to do the hard stuff because either we’re too old, too young, too slow or it’s just too late. Well, that’s too bad. Too bad that we miss a world of opportunity because we’re convinced that we’ve already received our ration of life and have to make the best of what we were given. Well, my friends, life is not a soup kitchen, it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet. You can get as much from life as you’d like, but no one is going to bring it to the table for you, you’ve got to go get it! Begin where you are, but begin. Be thankful for what you have and what you have accomplished, but remember that as a deed is done, it is in the past. The future is built by those who are not satisfied with one goal achieved or one dream realized. It is built by those who continue to work knowing that there is more to be achieved. For as long as we are alive there is work to be done, new dreams to be dreamed, and new goals to be reached.
So no more excuses about why you can’t achieve more, and no more pity parties about why you are stuck in a rut. No more accepting life’s rations. She doesn’t give much to anyone. Pry her fingers open and take what’s due you! Assess your situation and make the changes necessary to live the life you want to live.