Sometimes I write an entry with a specific group of people in mind. Sometimes I write an entry with nobody in mind, but this one I write with me in mind. I’ve been reading a book entitled “Leading on Empty” by Wayne Cordeiro and it has been spectacular! What an amazing book for leaders. If you lead anything, you need to read this book.
Today I came across this thought and I want to share it here:
Four Life Courses To Choose From:
1. A Life of Reaction
We plod forward on course until something happens to us and we change course. We assume it’s “God’s Will” because it is really the only door open. We live reacting to everything, creating nothing. A life that is lived by default.
2. A Life of Conformity
Going along with the crowd. We often allow the way we look to trump what we believe. This is the path taken by those who feel best when they are needed, and who thrive on being liked. Leo Buscaglia once said, “The easiest thing to be in the world is you. The most difficult thing to be is what the other people want you to be.”
3. A Life of Independence
Purposefully steering your life away from the current majority. Unfortunately you then align yourself with people just like you forming a clan of virtual clones. Whatever sets you a part is trendy as long as it distinguishes you as different than the current majority. It is a self-delusional way to live.
4. A Life of Intentionality
This is the life that you choose. It is the best you now. Things that come at you and force themselves into your life, you choose which ones you allow in based on your pre-determined intentionality. You know where you are going and you are fully aware of what you are becoming. You are daily stepping towards the new and best you. It’s choosing a life that brings honor to God and your family. It is not a victim mentality of what you were given or the cards you were dealt, but instead it is you picking up the deck of cards and staking the deck in your favor.
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Makes you think doesn’t it?
While reading and pondering, it hit me that all four of these paths are like our lives. As babies/young children, we live a life of reaction. We react to what our parents teach us to. As tweens/teens we live a life of conformity. We often don’t know what we want so we just go along with or do the same thing as everyone else. As young adults, we live a life of independence. We get out on our own and think we have all the answers which often isolates us from others. As we get older. and hopefully much wiser, our thought process changes. We begin to see that ‘our parents were right’, or ‘we weren’t as smart as we thought we were’. Our values begin to shift and our lives take on a more focused view.
I’ve seen myself in all of these. In my own family, with my own child, I try and teach that everything we do NEEDS to be intentional. By living this way we are giving our best to God and those around us. Who (in their right mind) intentionally tries to be mean, or hurtful? Or, who intentionally runs towards or seeks out things that are harmful to themselves or their family? No one should. People do.
Like you said, ‘it’s choosing a life that brings honor to God and your family’.
I choose life! Life, the best one possible, one that can’t get any better. Why? Because I CAN.
Well written, Melissa! You should be a teacher!….. Oh wait…. YOU ARE!!!!!!!
[...] Choose Your Course [...]