Inspiration
Find the Best Way Forward in Life
Take a thoughtful journey through life
Do you ever think of life as a journey? The journey of your life? The thing to realize about all journeys is they eventually end. Some claim you should enjoy the journey and not worry about the destination. Is that the best way to approach this journey of life, or do other possibilities exist?
Each of us has a great deal of control over our lifelong journey and the various paths we choose to take. Unless we give some thought to its final destination, how can we make the best decisions now and in the future? As the famous British author wrote long ago:
“If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.” Lewis Carroll (1832–1898)
Is that any way to live the only life you have? Or would you rather give some thought to where you are going?
Thoughtful or Thoughtless
Let me ask you a pointed question. If you have not given much thought to your journey through this life, why have you put it off or procrastinated? Have you never thought about where you will wind up? Do you see it as being so far into the future, it doesn’t matter? Or are you one of those who live in the moment and believe the future will take care of itself? Those are certainly choices you can make, but there is a better way known as the thoughtful way.
To be thoughtful about this journey through life, we must recognize it consists of more than a single part. One of these parts is our inward journey. When we reach the final destination, what matters is who we are, who we are becoming, and who we have become. Another part of this journey is in the physical world. This consists of our actions, the things we create, and those ever-present, ever-important relationships.
Lastly, a third and significant part of our journey is spiritual. For this article, we will focus on the journey of our mind and the physical, saving what some of us consider crucial, our spiritual journey, for another day.
“Never make your home in a place. Make a home for yourself inside your own head. You’ll find what you need to furnish it — memory, friends you can trust, love of learning, and other such things. That way it will go with you wherever you [are].” Tad Williams (1957-present)
Imagine being able to speak to yourself far into the future, lying on a bed, waiting to take your last breath. What advice do you think this version of yourself would give? Would that you say don’t worry about it? Perhaps. More realistically, that version of you would tell you to do some things differently. To remember your life is not only about you; it is about others. Do not live it selfishly, but live it for those you love and care about, filling your life with joy. Don’t waste your life on things that don’t matter. I also see this older version of myself advising me to live life thoughtfully, not carelessly.
To live life carelessly is to live life thoughtlessly. With only one life to live, why would anyone want to live it without thinking about what they are doing and where they are going? Better to be thoughtful, don’t you think?
I invite you to join me on one step in this journey. Let’s give a little thought as to where we might wind up before moving forward. The fruit of your labor can produce different, better results in your life journey. By truly seeing, thinking, and acting thoughtfully, you can find what you need in the deepest part of your being.
This journey is very personal. No one can tell you what kind of life you want to live. The journey will not always be on a smooth path. Change only comes when you ask deep questions and answer them honestly. It requires taking time to think and reflect.
During your journey, you encounter blind spots and unhealthy thinking. You must find the courage to work on them and to act differently. Change isn’t comfortable, but it’s required if you want to go to the destination of your choice.
Your Choice
You have few basic choices in this matter. Either choose your own journey, hoping to wind up at the destination you want, or let your habits and reactions choose for you. Or worse, you may find yourself subject to someone else’s ideas about your life.
I’ve been on this path for many decades now. I have put in my own work and regularly partner with others in their journeys. And yes, I am still on my journey. I share much of what I and others have learned on our journeys in my writing.
The result of working on your journey is not a solution to all your problems but rather an ongoing creation of how you wish to live and what you want to achieve. You create it while living, continuing to grow and change until your life no longer exists in its current form. It’s one of those trips where you reach the final destination when it’s over.
Every person’s life is unique. Every person must decide for themselves what small step to take each day. Perhaps you will find the answer as I do in journaling, reading, writing, work, and relationships. It’s up to you to uncover the path forward that works best.
Are you ready?
I want to challenge you today to take the first step. Don’t attempt to change everything in your life at once, but rather take one small step in the direction you want to go. Don’t put it off! Your life is too valuable. By taking that one step, you can change the trajectory of your life and create something new and good. Once you take the first small step, subsequent steps will become clearer.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Lao Tzu (c. 6th century BC)
You are the only one who has the answer to what that step will be. Only you can do the thinking, decide on your options, and make a choice to act. All of it is up to you. Find it, and you will forever change your life!
How can you find that final destination to guide you in your journey? A few questions to help you clarify this is to ask yourself:
- What does it look like?
- How does it feel?
- Who will be there with me?
- Who must I become to get there?
- How will I know when I have arrived?
- What will my legacy be?
Use these questions as a starting point and find that final destination so it can guide you for the rest of your life!
Final thoughts
It is important to remember our lives are about more than ourselves. Who we are and what we do affects everyone around us, especially those closest. To avoid being a poor example, become thoughtful about your lifelong journey. Others will be thankful you did. If you are to leave a legacy, your life depends on it.
Keep these thoughts in mind as you choose that next step in your journey toward that ultimate destination to create the best life possible!
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Bill Abbate Leadership Writer and Editor in ILLUMINATION
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