Today is June 20th, 2017 – Holy SHITBALLS, we are HALF WAY through the YEAR!!!
That’s CRAZY!!! Time just freaking flew by!!! I could still remember celebrating New Year’s as if it was just a few weeks ago!!!
I’m turning 39 this year and as I reflect on how much time I’ve got left, I had to ask – Am I getting what I want out of this Life? As time passes me by, am I taking the time to ensure that whatever it is that I’m doing is producing the results that I actually want to have when it’s all said and done?
According to recent studies, the average life span of Americans is at 78.7 years of age. When I die (as I’m technically half way through) is the life that Reggie lived – the life that Reggie wanted? Does the legacy and footprint that I leave behind reflect the steps that I wanted to be remembered by?
I think it’s critical that we all ask this question. I think when I look at what the whole point of most beliefs are – “loving unconditionally” – I genuinely believe that you cannot achieve that unless you are getting exactly what you want out of your own life. Meaning, unless you’re satisfied with what your life is producing, it’s almost virtually impossible for you to love unconditionally.
85% of Americans today are doing something that they don’t want to do. Going to jobs that they don’t like. I think that equation has a direct relationship to the type of News that we see on TV.
Because all we ever see is bad news right? Why? We’ll because 85% of people are not getting what they want out of their own life. Therefore, if its that many people that are not getting what they want, if its that many people that are unfulfilled or dissatisfied with what they are doing on a daily basis – it’s that many people that are not able to love unconditionally and therefore produces the kind of news that we see on TV.
It’s like if I forced you to do something for 8 hours a day that you don’t like, that doesn’t inspire you or make you feel good – do you think you’d be able to live out what the Scriptures says and love unconditionally?
If we’re not getting what we want out of our own life, I think we owe it to ourselves to try to figure out STRATEGICALLY how to get there.
I’m not saying quit your job or stop what you’re doing – I’m saying do something about it – even if it’s just a little bit – do something about it everyday. Work towards getting from where you are right now to where you want to be.
But most people won’t do that. Most people despite of knowing that they need change will fight change as if change is harder than what they do daily.
Most people like to stay where they’re at – because “they know this” – they’d rather stay here where it’s comfortable and easy because they don’t want to change. They want everything to be “perfect”, “perfect”, “perfect”, before they even try to entertain the thought of wanting to take the steps towards change. It’s almost as if they want to see everything in perfect order before they go for the change.
But life just isn’t like that. That’s not how we grow.
So as you look at your life today and figure out where you want to be, your Future – I just wanted you to know that whatever it takes to get you from where you are today to where you want to be tomorrow – that you HAVE that in you. Right here, right now – you HAVE EVERY INGREDIENT necessary to get there. You already have what you need to actually get to that Future. You don’t even need to do anything “special” to acquire anything “new” because whatever it is, it’s already in you.
We are built in the same image and likeness of God, we already have the “right stuff”. But the right stuff, doesn’t come out unless we are challenged, tested or pushed to the limit. In other words, unless we put ourselves in a position to have to use it – they will never come out.
Like a new born baby, no one hardly ever shows a baby how to crawl and yet they crawl. They just inherently know that to get from Point A to Point B, they need to crawl. Then later on as their muscles build up, somehow they’ll figure out how to lean against that couch and pick themselves up to try to walk just like everyone else.
We are already built with what we need – but we need to put ourselves in a position that we have to use them – in order for them to manifest in our daily lives.
If you decide to take the INITIATIVE today, to take the FIRST step to get to Point B (whatever Point B looks like for you) – I want you to know that besides the fact that you already possess the right ingredients to do it that as SOON as you decide to take that leap, you would immediately realize that Life itself is actually on YOUR side. That things would actually work out as soon as you decide to take life on. If we purposely face change, change would no longer become a hindrance but rather, it will become the beginning to a journey that leads us to our destiny.
Would it be it be difficult at times? Off-course, YES!
Would it be easy? Off-course NOT!
Would it hurt? ABSOLUTELY!
But you see, whether you stay at Point A or decide to take the leap to go to Point B, if there is one thing that I know after being blessed to have lived for as long as I have lived is that pain will ALWAYS find you. I don’t care where you go or what you do or where you hide – pain – lots and lots of of it – would always manage to find you.
Why? Because frankly, life is just like that. Life is FULL of pain. I don’t even think that Life and Pain – having 4 letters each – is a coincidence. I think that’s just the universe telling us that Life is filled with PAIN! Even when you hide underneath that table, closet or bed, eventually Pain will somehow find you!
Pain doesn’t need an invitation or an open door, it will just seep right in wherever you are.
People resist change because of the fear of pain or the fear of getting hurt – the fear of feeling rejected or beaten – but I promise you, whether or not you decide on purpose to move to Point B – life itself – on its own – would move you anyways. So you might as well move on purpose. You might as well get into the FIGHT and get to where you want to be.
You want to make a conscious effort and decision about this. You don’t want to just juggle through the years of life and later on find out when your old and weary that you didn’t get what you want out of it. You want to make sure that each day that you live, that you are living the BEST possible life for you. Because if you aren’t, if you’re not getting what you want out of your life – you can just forget about reading any scriptures or going to church or listening to me – you can just forget about all of that – because you can NEVER live a life that is a manifestation of the message of all the beliefs (which is a life filled with unconditional love), if you’re not getting what you want out of your own life. You cannot put that into fruition unless you are satisfied as to where you’re life is going.
It’s like trying to be generous and giving when you yourself haven’t eaten for 14 months. It’s impossible. You can’t. You’d be dying in your own hunger. You have to satisfy what you want, get what you want out of your own life, live the BEST LIFE that is possible for you so that you can then love unconditionally.
And please don’t get me wrong, I’m not asking you to be selfish and just get everything you desire. No, that not the “get” that I’m referring to. I’m referring to living a life that is directed towards the achievement of your Point B – of your BEST possible life. A life that is filled with Passion! A life that is satisfying to live because each breath you take, you know you are headed down the right path.
And if you don’t know what your Point B is – take this time to actually find out. Write down these 3 things that I call as the “Tri-Fecta of Love”:
Passion: What are you passionate about? What is it that you’d gladly do for free even if no one ever asked you to do it?
To me, it’s writing. I love to write and probably the second would be Teaching. Write and Teach are my two passions in life because I love helping people. I’m blessed with that heart so I try to live out my daily life satisfying that Passion. Because when I don’t, I’m a little bitchy. I become really “touchy” and I begin to easily get annoyed.
One time I drove from New Orleans to Dallas for a whole day – checked in the hotel late at midnight – and decided not to sleep just so I can write. So I wrote all night and got ready for my conference at 8 am the next day.
That’s me. That’s my passion. I’d gladly do it again if need be because satisfying my craving for my Passion is a key ingredient for me to be able to live the BEST POSSIBLE life for me.
Talent: What are your God given talents? What are you naturally good at? What are the things that maybe when you were in high school you were good at but now have forgotten or stayed away from for whatever reason. Find out what those are. Write them down. Be realistic as to which one amongst your many talents is achievable for you today.
Many of us don’t go to Point B because I think we simply haven’t figured out what our Point B is. Or that it even exist.
Now’s the time. Now is that time for you. What skill or talent that you have that lines up perfectly with your Passion? Don’t be a “jack of all traits master of none” – you don’t want to live a life like that. I want you to just FOCUS on one. Don’t be like me, I wasted so many years of my life doing all sorts of things that I was good at but wasn’t really passionate about. There’s a difference. You are capable to do many great things but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to do them all at the same time.
FOCUS. Pick ONE. Pick one that lines up to your passion and decide that for next 12 months that you’re only going to FOCUS on the manifestation of that Talent.
I never started writing until a few years ago but I never could have gotten to where I’m at today if I didn’t choose to just FOCUS on this one “talent” that I believe I have. I’m not saying I’m the best at it, all I’m saying is I believe I have a God given talent to be able to explain things in a way that most people can “hear” which lines up perfectly to my Passion of helping others. So I decided to pursue that and never quit on it despite of all the other things that I can do.
Needs: What do you need in order for your God given Talent to manifest in your life daily? What do you need in order for this Talent to show up as part of your routine? I’m not just talking about the basic needs such as food, shelter or clothing – those are given – I’m talking about the other stuff – emotionally, spiritually and mentally – what do you need to manifest this talent for you?
Do you need to go to training? Do you need to get rid of some of your friends? Do you need a new crowd to hang out with?
For me, I quickly realized that I need my quiet time. I need my quiet time in the Mornings as it’s in the Mornings that I do my best writing (at least, that’s how I feel) – so because of me being consciously aware of this need, I naturally created ways to “protect” my mornings. I never book meeting until after 11 am. I have a spot at my home for my quiet time that everyone knows is mine.
I don’t care what it is, you’d have to be almost “dying” in order for me to give up my quiet time.
If you write down these three things and pray on it – stare at it for a few days – meditate – soon you will see that the next logical steps would come to you naturally. And much more, you will notice that everything in your life would start making sense.
As you begin to pursue your Point B and you start living your life with Passion, with some drive, with a zest of energy – you will realize that life would start yielding results for YOU. Your world would start naturally changing, yes there would still be struggles and pain but if you remain calm and stay FOCUSED – life would give you what you NEED.
After I decided to focus my life on writing, in less than 4 months – I gained 6 new friends that are successful authors of their own right. I may not have published my book yet (still working on it) but I can almost guarantee that it will get published. It’s no longer a matter of “chance” or “hope” for me when it comes to this “Point B” – it’s simply just a matter of time.
Love, Peace, and Blessings Always.
And remember, Light It Up and Let’s GO!!!
-Reggie