A Meaningful Phrase - for what it's worth
John Lennon is credited with the phrase, "Life is what happens when you're busy making plans". It is from one of his solo tracks, much later in his career. To whom the credit goes is really insignificant, as it does bring about a pretty good point; we can get too wrapped up in our plans to really achieve the things we set out for in the beginning. That said, you have to be willing to pay a price for your goals - whatever they may be. At some point, a plan without execution simply is wishful thinking. Execution without a plan is an aimless journey. What are you willing to accept?
What I didn't know we had learned
I'm pretty sure it was the summer of '77 - thought I wanted to earn an amateur radio operators license. I grew-up across the street from a fellow that had been born without any useful eye site - blind from birth. He and his brothers had all been born without the advantage of seeing the world around them - that many of us simply take for granted. During his lifetime he became somewhat an expert in the field of radios and Morse Code. A very significant part of earning a radio operators license in that day, was the need to learn and demonstrate a proficiency in Morse Code. My neighbor had graciously offered to help me develop the skills needed to learn Morse Code and those other things necessary to become an entry level amateur radio operator. Given my age at the time and lack of any sense of discipline, my intentions were far more grand than my willingness to follow through and achieve the goal - a regret to this day. Not that no earning that certificate was the key to my "dreams", but rather an opportunity to develop a life-skill of discipline that would have proven useful, having learned it sooner, rather than later.
This neighbor was quite remarkable. He had a career, a wonderful family, an accomplished musician and many other extraordinary things. He would walk to and from his place of employment some five blocks away, completely without aid. In fact, he would regularly walk around his yard, to church and other places as he had memorized details of so many things. The one thing I learned from him that I didn't otherwise realize for so many years, was learning what was is in the dark - things you know are there, but can't see. That skill has paid huge dividends in my life - far more than what learning Morse Code may have done. The key is to first know, or suspect something is there. After that, you must know with certainty where it is at all times. Contact it, feel it, reconcile its position and potential before moving on. Whether a door in the dark, or people in your life - know those things that are there and beware of the things in the dark (things you can't see).
Our own path
I can't think that any of us setout to be failures. However, it is clear we all don't exactly end up where we'd set out for. Our paths led us here by virtually every decision we made in our lives. Rather we like it or not, we emulate the very thing we eventually will become - kind of "fake it 'till you make it" type thing. But somehow, we are often surprised when we stop to take an inventory of our situation, only to be disappointed at our surroundings. It's been said we are a product of our five closest friends, or something like that anyway. It has something to do with surrounding yourself with greatness, or an environment that is conducive to our goals and ideals. The day comes for all of us when we take that inventory and reconcile our position in life. You see, hell is not necessarily a place, or destination, as much as it is a realization of our self imposed circumstances. For some it is a constant hell, while for others.....they chose to emulate that what they wish to become, without losing hope. If you turn your head toward something, eventually you will arrive at that something. Be careful to that which you turn your head....
Careful - You will own it someday...
As much talent as we may have blessed with, all too often we won't develop a mere fraction of our potential. I believe it was the legendary coach, John Thompson that said, "potential is for the next guy". In other words, don't leave it as simply potential, make it real. Accepting anything less than what you had set out for is simply a compromise. Often it is rationalized by self-pity. The day will come when you will cash that check of all of your life's experiences up to that very moment. Every single moment of every single day, you are making an investment into yourself. Time is non-refundable, irrevocable, but yet often squandered. Never sell out. Be true to your heart, but know first what is in your heart. The price may seem steep now, but the payoff is immense. Whatever it is.....you'll own it someday. Be glad for the investment.
Ride HARD!
