MaXIMIze - Life Plans

A recent conversation with a friend caused me to wonder how many of us really have a life plan when we are younger? How many of us are dead certain of what we are going to be when we grow up, let alone plan for it and achieve it?

I know I had no clue what I wanted to do when I grew up. Life was too chaotic for me to think beyond getting through the day at hand most of the time. I do remember when I was little, though, five or slightly younger, having two unmatched socks, one red and one yellow, and making up a story about having two children - a boy named Erik for Erik the Red (the red sock), and a girl named Sarah (the yellow sock) - none of my children bear those names, yet my oldest son is the red sock and my daughter is the yellow - and my youngest son is simply the blessing I never planned for.

The older we get, particularly if we feel unfulfilled and that life is passing or has passed us by, regret can set in - and so can depression. We tend to forget that as long as we draw breath on this earth we can draw into our life that which fulfills, comforts, completes, and sates us.

There is an Orson Swett Marden quote that fits here: "If your task is not a perpetual tonic to you...you have not found your place."

The following questions might help you to determine what your place is - and encourage you to take the steps necessary to reach it. I picked them up at some training or other I went to for work, and they are applicable for all of us.

1. What are the three most important things in your life right now?

2. What are your three main goals in life?

3. If you only had six months to live, what would you do differently?

4. If you came into a lot of money, what would you do differently?

5. What have you always wanted to do but were afraid to try?

6. What activities give you a sense of importance and/or a sense of joy?

7. If there were no boundaries, what would you want to achieve, do, and/or have?

Take the time necessary to contemplate each question and answer it as thoroughly and authentically as possible. Consider your answers and how you can reach the path they are directing you towards.

I never said anything was easy; I say things can be done, however.

I will leave you with my all time favorite song that embodies this message pretty well, Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven. Jimmy Page starts this video off with the saying, "I think this a song of hope." I agree - Namaste!