I believe we are each stuck in a story, a story we choose out of options given. We are forced to choose one of these because that’s the way it’s supposed to be. If we are one of the lucky few we learn this and are able to break the shackles and choose a story that may not yet be written, that we will write ourselves. But for so many that choose a story that’s already been written, it’s a life unfulfilled. The monotony, the grind, and the ruts dominate their world.
It saddens me because that was me for so long, making decisions based on what was expected or what was “easy” or what everyone else was doing. As I wasted my life away there were glimpses of “change” but it turned out to be a simple case of convincing myself that I was really doing something different, anti status quo, and life changing when in actuality I wasn’t. I always found myself back in that same boat of drudgery and often times feelings of being depressed.
This is about attitude and living a life of fulfillment rather than frustration. If your job pisses you off find a way to leave it, if you’re not happy in your relationship get out of it, if you’re tired of being fat and out of shape stop eating and start running. A life of insane happiness is possible for each and every one of us, period.
We label things as obstacles and barriers, and allow them to be just that. If you aren’t making enough money that is not an obstacle even though you label it as that, find a way to make more money or find a way to live on less. This desire we often times have to sabotage ourselves is crazy, and it happens every day in the form of excuses.
In 2011, I am daring myself to grow, learn, and evolve with reckless abandon. I’m daring myself to take full accountability for my life and not allow excuses to dictate direction. I’m daring myself to always remember the importance of people and community and the power of collaboration. Most importantly, I am daring myself to have the confidence to be me in every sense of the word. And I dare you to do the same.
Lisa Qualls says
Great post Matt! I found your blog through your tweet and plan on checking back from time to time to see how you do on your “dare”…I have no doubt you will find much success! Here’s to you and the new stories you write for yourself!
Cheers,
Lisa
Matt says
That’s awesome, thank you Lisa. Life has been this constant epiphany and I’m always looking for that next one. Learning, growth, and sharing…I absolutely love it. Thank you again and Happy New Year!!
sumner musolf says
Makes a person want to stand up and make some change – small or large, subtle or obvious. I dig some of your choices of wording – “A life of insane happiness…”, and “This desire we often times have to sabotage ourselves is crazy, and it happens every day in the form of excuses.”
Resonating. Thank you, sir, for sharing. May the 2011 you envision today become tomorrow’s reality.
Matt says
Thank you very much Sumner, I appreciate it. I think we each need to use our own voice, our own style, our own wording to spread these meassages in order to impact more people. I believe in learning, laughing, and living with every ounce of my being; it’s been a long road to get to that point but I’ve never been happier!
Cheers brother!!