My family has been very blessed over the Labor Day Weekend. We got to go to Dorney Park (large amusement park with roller coasters, kids rides and a waterpark). We also went to a Frederick Keys minor league baseball game. Our 3 year old son loved it. Probably the best part for him was riding the rides, running the bases and eating a bunch of junk food. He had a blast. There were so many things he could do and he was able to try many new things. Our 9 month old son did not have as good of a time at either event. At the amusement park he was stuck in his stroller almost all day. He couldn't get out and crawl around. He was either being held or strapped into his stroller going along for the ride or being held. He had almost no power to do anything he wanted. Same thing at the baseball game. He was stuck doing whatever the person holding him decided to do. His only recourse was to cry and throw a fit when he didn't get what he wanted.
Observing my baby son was interesting. It struck me how much his weekend was like the way many people live their lives. They feel stuck, trapped or forced to do what everyone else wants them to do. People stay in bad job situations because they are trapped by the income (massive, crushing debts and an out of control lifestyle have left them with little savings or flexibility) or fear of change. Instead of breaking free and doing work that matters or helps they stay "trapped" in a bad job. We feel powerless to change a poor relationship and struggle just to maintain the status quo. Instead of taking action to fix things we struggle through destructive relationship situations because we fear changing things might make them worse.
You have the power to ACT. You can change your situation in life, whatever it might be. BUT it will take action on your part. You may have to confront a boss, teammate, co-worker or family member. You may have to leave a job and the security that entails. You will definitely have to leave your comfort zone. You will have to step out on faith that what you are doing is right and that it needs to be done. The rewards will likely be immense in the long run, but be ready for some pain in the short term. Be ready to lose friends and even some family. But be ready to go so much deeper in your true relationships.
Two by-products or things that happen when you take action. #1 You go from cyring and whining all the time to using your voice to make a change. When my 9 month old is finally able to articulate his feelings in words his life will improve. Right now he has to get everything he wants by crying and fussing. That gets his problems solved most of the time. But when he can talk and tell us exactly what he wants he will be much more effective at solving his problems for himself. Same for us. When we can verbalize our desires and take action we are much more powerful at bringing resolution in our life. #2 Many people have resigned themselves to a life of inaction. They are 20, 40, 60 and 80 year olds who through inaction have relegated their lives to the hands and whims of others. They "go with the flow" accepting the things that happen to them as fate and have ceased taking responsibility for their situation. It would be like if my completely healthy and capable son never "outgrew" his current baby stage. Instead of learning to walk, talk and slowly become independent he continued to live in his stroller crying for food and other needs. It would be okay at nine months, but by age two or so he needs to be up taking action to better his lives. It is sad to see a 30 or 40 year old who has let their "action" muscles atrophy to the point where they cannot take action or make any significant choice.
Exercise your action muscles today. Take action to repair a broken relationship, fix a problem at work or completely change your life. Two often quoted quotes "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" and "anyone can eat an elephant if they simply do it one bite at a time."
Go Get 'Em.
