Life can be a rotten stinker you know?
Just when you think you have it all figured out, plans are made, the i’s dotted, the t’s crossed…LIFE throws in a twist you never expected.
Sound about right?
Honestly, I wonder if the universe does this sometimes just to prove that we never really have total control over what is going to happen next.
Of course there is another way to look at it. (But you knew that right?)
The problem with life is that too many people are focused on the destination instead of the journey. We are missing out doing that…BIG TIME.
Take a moment and think about this. We all have the same destination at the end of it all don’t we? Do you really want to live life focused on getting to the end of it faster? Goodness that sounds depressing.
So, here’s the other way to look at it. Life steps in not to thwart our perfectly laid plans, but to remind us that we have a life to live today.
The universe is not out to ‘get’ us but instead out to move us back onto our divine path, to remind us to live fully and to offer up opportunities we otherwise would have passed by without a second look.
Consider this little story that I’ve heard so many places lately.
One day, a Student walks up to her Master and asks: “Master, how long will it take for my training?”
The Master folds his arms across his chest and meditates. After several seconds, he replies: “Ten years at least.”
The Student frowns, and then asks: “What if I study twice as hard as the other students?”
The Master waits several more seconds before he replies: “Twenty years, at least.”
The Student scowls, and then asks: “What if I work at it night and day, and spend all my free time studying?”
The Master smiles as he replies: “Thirty years, at least.”
Frustrated, the student then asks her master: “Master, how come whenever I say I will study harder, you say it will take longer to learn?”
The Master replies simply: “When one has both eyes fixed on the destination, then no eyes are left to see the path.”
I am sure some of you have heard my life’s motto “Life is short, eat dessert first” Now I, on occasion, feel the need to take this literally of course. However, the underlying point of that saying is to find the joy in every day, in every thing you do.
Life IS short and too many of us waste in anger, resentment, jealousy and negativity. Those items are always kicking around and willing to be our main course, but I seriously doubt that anyone at the end of life looks back and wishes they had just one more day to spend on those things.
Nope. We wish for more time for saying I love you (dessert), more hugs (dessert), more laughter and dancing in the rain (dessert).
Stop waiting to wish. Move your eyes onto the path, into the life you are living right now. Perhaps you finally realize you have a freakin buffet of desserts sitting all around you! (Gosh I LOVE that metaphor).
So, stop being so hard on life. Shift to an attitude of wonder and gratefulness.
Life can have difficult times, but even then you can find the good, the opportunity and the joy and focus on those things.
Yes, it is all about the journey, Bonnie. Love the gentle reminder to pay attention to the path.
The YouTube commercial for Camry discusses about re-invention. At the workshop I attended yesterday, it was all about re-inventing ourselves after leaving corporate. Part of the path.
You are so right ~ Enjoy the journey. I think I am putting on some pounds from eating too much dessert ~ But I still enjoy it!
Yup you are right about that Bonnie. Life can be a drag at times, but looking at today and making the best of now is important. I appreciate your wonderfully positive insight and it is a great reminder to live and enjoy each and every day.
I love that story and your motto. The long view helps us create our vision or generate goals and then we need the balance of bringing it all into the here and now to live it, enjoy it and take action. Great post!
Well said Bonnie. Its why one day at a time is so important. Life is a journey not a destination. Purposeful living says if the goal is reached it is done by fulfilling your purpose. And what we do on the journey helps us be who we are. Keep posting great blogs
I totally agree with you Roberta. Our purpose moves us along but we might never get to where we think we are heading. Wouldn’t it be a shame if we waited til then to enjoy life? Especially when we are surrounded by amazing things each day.
I wrote something like this as a comment to Gustavo’s blog (http://frugal-science.com/blog/2012/01/life-tools-the-best-tip-for-making-the-distance/), one that seems to be locked forever in his spam folder. But, this is absolutely true. We need to monitor our destination- but pay attention to our surroundings, as well. We not only get to savor the journey, but achieve our results.
It took me a while to recognize that- me, who used to visit 30 cities a week, and never once took in the sites available.
Great advice.
Thanks Roy. We all can learn from each other and sharing our experiences are so vital to the process!
YOU NAILED IT!! 😉 I have been doing this a lot lately… taking time paying more attention to the destination and the prize; and not enjoying the journey to it. This was a much needed reminder, and one that I needed to read this morning. I loved the story you shared here as well! Great perspective and it drove your point home wonderfully! So from this day forward, I will take your words and look at the big picture; noticing the little things I’ve been missing along the way.
Thank you for sharing this, Bonnie! You have truly kicked me where I needed it most, my friend. 😉
Whohoo! I never thought I’d say this but I’m so glad I was able to kick you where you needed it darlin!
Life is about today…we need to live it where we are!
Wow Bonnie!
Even after all you went through with your car and other obstacles this month, you are still that positive force that keeps us going.
When I was your age, I had a lot of stress and worry. Each day was a challenge. I wish I had known to eat dessert first. 🙂
Love this post. Thanks so much for your words of wisdom.
Cindy
Hi Cindy,
Thanks for those kind words. Yes, it has been a bit of a struggle but a little perspective and deep breathing and I was able to choose my mindset. I choose to be grateful for what didn’t happen, what I do have and all the unknown possibilities coming my way.
Easy? Nope, but no one said it would be did they? lol It is worth it though. Every second wasted in worry and fear is stolen from my joy.
Aye Aye Captain 😉
Hajra…you make me laugh! 😀