Have you heard the quote that, "Those who do not read
are
no better off than those who cannot read?" I often ponder
the truth that those who will not use their freedom to
create a great life are little better off than those who
live in bondage. Too many of us live our lives in bondage
to tradition or habit or a thousand other false limitations
of modern life.
We work at jobs we don't like, or live in communities that
no longer serve us. We "don't have time" to learn a new
hobby, write a book or change careers. We are trapped by
fears of failure or embarrassment or ridicule. We play too
small!
Last week, I spent three days at a conference with some
wonderful, talented people who took a risk to make things
better. Some of them flew across oceans, others drove long
distances. All of them invested time and money, and took a
risk that attending a "think tank" conference would open
doors or empower them in some way. I like to believe that
each of us "won" that bet!
The glorious truth is that you are free to invent, or re-
invent yourself, to create a life of your own any time you
choose. I urge you to take that very seriously.
When we "bet" on ourselves, we always win. Granted,
sometimes things don't turn out quite like we hoped, but
when we "play large" and "go big", we always win, sometimes
on a far larger scale than we ever imagined.
Since the founding of our country, valiant men and women
have fought wars and political battles to guarantee us the
freedom to think for ourselves and to speak or write
whatever we wish. They have shed blood on distant fields so
we can read controversial books or freely travel wherever
and whenever we wish. We are free to invest our time and
money and talent, and to reap the rewards. This weekend is
the holiday when we pause to honour these freedoms.
But when do we pause to honour and seize the "smaller"
freedoms to create our own lives? When do we ponder, and
then choose the life we truly desire?
In my speaking and training events, I often encourage the
audience to "live out loud." I encourage them to tell the
rest of us who they are, where they've been, and where
they're going in life.
I want to use this issue to challenge
you in the same way. How will you make the most of your one
and only, glorious life? Do not die with "your music still
inside you!" Start small if you prefer, but move in the
direction of your unique talents and interests. Take time
for the people you love. Learn a new skill or teach someone
who desperately wants to learn. Make our world a better
place and unleash the greatness that is in you.
I know of no better way to honour those who gave their lives
so we can have this incredible privilege!
no better off than those who cannot read?" I often ponder
the truth that those who will not use their freedom to
create a great life are little better off than those who
live in bondage. Too many of us live our lives in bondage
to tradition or habit or a thousand other false limitations
of modern life.
We work at jobs we don't like, or live in communities that
no longer serve us. We "don't have time" to learn a new
hobby, write a book or change careers. We are trapped by
fears of failure or embarrassment or ridicule. We play too
small!
Last week, I spent three days at a conference with some
wonderful, talented people who took a risk to make things
better. Some of them flew across oceans, others drove long
distances. All of them invested time and money, and took a
risk that attending a "think tank" conference would open
doors or empower them in some way. I like to believe that
each of us "won" that bet!
The glorious truth is that you are free to invent, or re-
invent yourself, to create a life of your own any time you
choose. I urge you to take that very seriously.
When we "bet" on ourselves, we always win. Granted,
sometimes things don't turn out quite like we hoped, but
when we "play large" and "go big", we always win, sometimes
on a far larger scale than we ever imagined.
Since the founding of our country, valiant men and women
have fought wars and political battles to guarantee us the
freedom to think for ourselves and to speak or write
whatever we wish. They have shed blood on distant fields so
we can read controversial books or freely travel wherever
and whenever we wish. We are free to invest our time and
money and talent, and to reap the rewards. This weekend is
the holiday when we pause to honour these freedoms.
But when do we pause to honour and seize the "smaller"
freedoms to create our own lives? When do we ponder, and
then choose the life we truly desire?
In my speaking and training events, I often encourage the
audience to "live out loud." I encourage them to tell the
rest of us who they are, where they've been, and where
they're going in life.
I want to use this issue to challenge
you in the same way. How will you make the most of your one
and only, glorious life? Do not die with "your music still
inside you!" Start small if you prefer, but move in the
direction of your unique talents and interests. Take time
for the people you love. Learn a new skill or teach someone
who desperately wants to learn. Make our world a better
place and unleash the greatness that is in you.
I know of no better way to honour those who gave their lives
so we can have this incredible privilege!
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