Learning to Live

It becomes more and more obvious to me with each passing day that there really is more to this life. I've muddled along with what I'd call a safe life for so long I assumed there was no other way. There is. No matter how frightening it may seem you can start over at any age. The hardest part is admitting to yourself  you aren't happy with the way things are.

I recently read an article written by a woman who obtained her Bachelors degree at 53 and wrote her first novel at 66!  Think about the courage that takes. We all fear rejection. The first question I asked myself when I began writing this blog was am I good enough? Can I make a success of this blogging thing? Well what I've learned about myself is that the more I write, the more I want to write. The rest will take care of itself. Call it a midlife crisis, call it what you like, but I know I've embraced the need for change. We all have it within us. Take the plunge.

It's really a question of whether or not you want to settle for the easy path, the comfortable path, or do you want to look back in twenty years and know you've made the most of your talents. It's a simple choice when you get right down to it. Carpe Diem!

Learn to take the odd risk. I'm not saying quit your job tomorrow, head to Africa, and dedicate the rest of your life to saving the lion population of South Africa - that's fine if that's what you really want to do! No, what I'm suggesting is you just start thinking about where you want to be in ten years.

Steven Covey recognized this in his 7 Habits of Highly Effective People when he suggested we "begin with the end in mind". We need to consider where we want to be, and put a plan in place to get us there. The path is different for all of us, but the method to get us there is similar for all successful people. It's a philosophy that can work for all of us, no matter what walk of life we come from.

You might want to start by getting rid of bad habits. Commit yourself to healthy living, and this will lead to a healthy mind. There is clear evidence that are minds are sharpest when they are given the right fuel. You wouldn't put diesel in a car that requires unleaded gasoline would you? Don't put the junk into your body either! It's all related.

The same goes for baggage, leave it in the past. We can all look back and question our choices, but what good does it really do us? I'm not suggesting you forget about the mistakes from your past, just that you learn from them and move on. Use them as a tool in your arsenal. Learning to live in the present instead of the past will allow you to look forward to the future. Drop me a comment, I'd love to hear how you've been able to break away from the pack and leave mediocrity behind! Till next time.