I thought I’d preach at myself a little today… This is another post that’s part of the conversation on arts and culture around the Watercooler with Randy Elrod, and I’m talking more about personal culture than anything else.
There’s a part of me that wants life to be everything that it can be. That wants to live a no-holds-barred, petal-to-the-metal, extreme, radical existence.
And there is this other part of me that wants life to be easy.
Of course, no matter how I live, there will be plenty of times that life isn’t easy. However, I think it’s likely that there will be more resistance, difficulty, tears, and pain when taking that road less traveled, the upper path of a radical existence. Even if that wasn’t the case, it’s hard to deny that such a life requires more from us than going with the flow and simply taking what comes along.
And this isn’t to say that every moment will be action-packed. If you look at the lives of many of the greatest men and women who ever lived, you will see that much of their time was spent doing many normal things. Obviously, you don’t receive a get-out-of-the-mundane-free card just for deciding to live your life passionately. You’ll still have plenty of time to wash the laundry and take out the trash.
However, with the choice to lean forward and go for the gusto, I think we’ll start to have more of those incredible moments. We might even find that we start enjoying even the mundane times a little more.
Why not find what things you were really made for, the things that thrill you (if you don’t already know)? Get tuned into that – so that you have this on your mind and in your heart – even when you’re doing laundry. Don’t avoid the things you dread; run through them, past them, into the things you were made for.
If you could do anything, what would it be? What’s keeping you from that?
great questions, great thoughts!
It’s interesting that you should post this today; I’ve been thinking something similar for a few days.
Well, I guess If I could do anything, I would go back to school, get a degree in biomedical science–what I originally was going for when I was 19–and go to medical school. What is preventing me is, in this order (or maybe not): fear, lack of money, lack of time (laziness more like), and the fact that I am not sure if I can hack it–if I am smart enough, etc.
Well, once I get my ducks in a row for whatever I decide to do, school is all set up; I just have to take the step.
Great post.
After 30 years, i am able to do exactly what I want to do. it is a blessing beyond comprehension.
My life seems filled with Moments!
I love your post today. Can’t wait to meet you next Tuesday!
Randy
Can’t wait to meet you next Tuesday too! I am finally starting to live my dreams and it has changed everything that used to be mundane – they really aren’t mundane anymore. I look at every single thing as an opportunity, that presents me with a choice. I still get scared of my laziness too and that my brain won’t understand everything I dream of doing. So I break it down into small steps and take it one moment at a time.
I am inspired.
Horror anthologies beware, Scott has got you in his sights.
Forests watch out, I’m coming for your paper – all the paper needed to print my books.
Demons quake, because I’m going to push Christ’s kingdom out – you’re about to get real crowded with your lack of space!
Booya!
wow. great post. you know…not everyday we can have a mountain top experiences. but yes, the passion that we have has been placed deep within our spirits-we were created for such a time as this. So why not live life courageously, not afraid to love, always forgiving and giving thanks to our Lord for every minute? What will we have to offer Him when we stand before Him? I want to have given away all the love and everything He\’s put in me. So, why not live life to the fullest?
Scary….
BTW…Skydiving. I have always wanted to go SKYDIVING!!!