It's often said that, "No wind blows
in favor of a ship
without a rudder." No matter what the conditions, a ship
without a skilled crew, proper equipment, and reliable
maps, is doomed. All three elements are essential, and
sailing the "ship of life" works much the same way.
This week, I talked with a man who argued that crashing on
the "rocks" is not his fault. He's a real estate agent,
and he's nearly bankrupt. He blames his failure on the
markets, the banks and economic conditions, but admits he's
made no real effort to adapt to changing conditions. He's
like a Captain sailing into the teeth of a storm because
"that's the route we took last time and it worked out
alright." He's doomed.
Am I being unfair? Perhaps. He's a good person and
deserves better than he has received in life.
At the same time, however, we are each responsible to play
the cards life has dealt us. We are responsible to do what
we can, to develop and use effective strategies. We are
responsible for our actions and, largely, for our results.
We have the tools to live amazing lives. We are wealthy
beyond measure. The world's great books, museums, art,
music, wisdom and resources are at our disposal. There are
people who can teach you anything you wish to learn. You
can move, change jobs, learn new skills, and change your
life. You can do less, or do more. You can go back to
school, make new friends, and add beauty, music and
inspiration to your life.
It has never been easier to create a beautiful sitting
room, read a great book or enjoy a superb wine.
Conversations are as rich, deep and inspiring as we make
them - or as boring, shallow and repetitious as we permit.
Can you transform your life in a day? There is some debate
about that, but my personal answer is, "Not likely." My
experience suggests that most of us won't, and shouldn't,
run away to Paris, or abandon our responsibilities. Most
of us cannot rebuild our lives on a whim.
But, day by day, we CAN move in the direction of our
dreams. We can, day by day, take action to remove the
clutter, frustrations, and annoyances of life. We can
learn from our mistakes and mis-directions. We can clean
up, fix up, and enrich our lives.
Others have, and so can you. One of my inspirations is
Oprah Winfrey. I love that her personal battles have been
so public, and that she never gives up, never quits, and
never loses. In my book, she's a winner.
Another inspiration for me is a guy named Jim H. You've
never heard of him, and few will ever meet him. Jim was
born with several limitations, in part because his mother
drank while she was pregnant. Jim will not likely become
rich, well educated, or famous. But his apartment is
clean, he works hard and takes pride in his life and his
friends, and at age 42, he recently graduated from the 6th
grade. I'm impressed by him, and proud to be his friend.
Jim knows who he is, he has goals, and he uses everything
he has to reach them. I count that as extraordinary
success!
Are you sailing in the direction you want to go? Are you
deploying your assets, your time, your energy and your
intelligence to create the life you truly want? If not,
don't blame the conditions. Instead, challenge yourself to
become a more skillful sailor.
without a rudder." No matter what the conditions, a ship
without a skilled crew, proper equipment, and reliable
maps, is doomed. All three elements are essential, and
sailing the "ship of life" works much the same way.
This week, I talked with a man who argued that crashing on
the "rocks" is not his fault. He's a real estate agent,
and he's nearly bankrupt. He blames his failure on the
markets, the banks and economic conditions, but admits he's
made no real effort to adapt to changing conditions. He's
like a Captain sailing into the teeth of a storm because
"that's the route we took last time and it worked out
alright." He's doomed.
Am I being unfair? Perhaps. He's a good person and
deserves better than he has received in life.
At the same time, however, we are each responsible to play
the cards life has dealt us. We are responsible to do what
we can, to develop and use effective strategies. We are
responsible for our actions and, largely, for our results.
We have the tools to live amazing lives. We are wealthy
beyond measure. The world's great books, museums, art,
music, wisdom and resources are at our disposal. There are
people who can teach you anything you wish to learn. You
can move, change jobs, learn new skills, and change your
life. You can do less, or do more. You can go back to
school, make new friends, and add beauty, music and
inspiration to your life.
It has never been easier to create a beautiful sitting
room, read a great book or enjoy a superb wine.
Conversations are as rich, deep and inspiring as we make
them - or as boring, shallow and repetitious as we permit.
Can you transform your life in a day? There is some debate
about that, but my personal answer is, "Not likely." My
experience suggests that most of us won't, and shouldn't,
run away to Paris, or abandon our responsibilities. Most
of us cannot rebuild our lives on a whim.
But, day by day, we CAN move in the direction of our
dreams. We can, day by day, take action to remove the
clutter, frustrations, and annoyances of life. We can
learn from our mistakes and mis-directions. We can clean
up, fix up, and enrich our lives.
Others have, and so can you. One of my inspirations is
Oprah Winfrey. I love that her personal battles have been
so public, and that she never gives up, never quits, and
never loses. In my book, she's a winner.
Another inspiration for me is a guy named Jim H. You've
never heard of him, and few will ever meet him. Jim was
born with several limitations, in part because his mother
drank while she was pregnant. Jim will not likely become
rich, well educated, or famous. But his apartment is
clean, he works hard and takes pride in his life and his
friends, and at age 42, he recently graduated from the 6th
grade. I'm impressed by him, and proud to be his friend.
Jim knows who he is, he has goals, and he uses everything
he has to reach them. I count that as extraordinary
success!
Are you sailing in the direction you want to go? Are you
deploying your assets, your time, your energy and your
intelligence to create the life you truly want? If not,
don't blame the conditions. Instead, challenge yourself to
become a more skillful sailor.
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