The Journey to Nowhere
"It is just as
hard to reach a place you don't know as it is to return from a place
where you have not
been."
- Zig Ziglar
(1926-2012)
Author/Speaker
There is a
romantic idea of just heading out on the road and going to wherever you end
up. It is that idea of being free to go
where the wind takes you and doing what you what when you want to do it. The problem is, like all romantic ideas,
reality is much harder than fantasy. It
is hard to wonder aimlessly here and there.
And it gets old really quick.
I remember back in the 50's and
early 60's when I was a boy, we had the idea that being a hobo was exciting and
full of wonder. It was the dream of
total freedom and carefree living. As we
grew we began to see the reality of that carefree life. People living in boxes, eating what garbage
they could find, facing dangers around every turn and ending up - nowhere.
You life is more than a trip to
nowhere. I know that many today feel
that is just where they are headed, but it does not have to be that way. You can end up somewhere - somewhere good -
it is all up to you. Yes, there is a
cost. It will take hard work, responsibility
and determination. All the things we
think need to be left behind to have freedom.
That is the biggest lie of all.
Freedom is not a lack of responsibility
and living off others. If you do not
take control (responsibility) of your life, someone else will. When you have to live off others you become a
slave to others. I know that some see entitlements
as something they "deserve" and the fact that they do not have to
work to get along appeals to them.
However, if the government or someone else supports you, they own
you. Without them you end up with
nothing, and believe me, they know that fact.
When you take control of your
life and know where you are going, you gain the greatest of all freedoms. You can become who YOU want to become. You can have what YOU choose to have. If you succeed, YOU succeed. If you fail, YOU fail and YOU
can learn and grow from that failure.
The greatest power in the world is the power of choice. YOU choose and YOU benefit.
There are three things you need
to do in order to take control of your destiny and become all you are meant to
be.
1) Know Where You Are Going
Never allow others to tell you
what your life will be and what you will do.
That choice God has reserved for you alone. You were created with a purpose, a dream. Notice I said "with" a purpose, not
for a purpose. Know what it is you want
and where you are going and you will be half way there.
2) Be Willing to Do Whatever it
Takes
When we say, "whatever it
takes" we are never referring to anything wrong, dishonest or
hurtful. "Whatever it takes"
means that you will work as hard as you must to succeed. You will sacrifice the current pleasures for
those down the road. You will become the
person who you must become to succeed.
Most importantly, you will take responsibility for your life.
3) Stay With It
Never give up. Never compromise for something less than your
dream. Never give in to pressures,
disappointments or problems. Be an over
comer and be strong. Know that for those
who have determination and persistence, there is no failure.
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