PATH TO SOMEWHERE
Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020
Sometimes we get bored or weary.
Sometimes we get distracted. Squirrel …
Sometimes we lose faith in ourselves, or in something we believed was right.
We are all a little lost, so we need to feel committed to a path to somewhere, to something, or to someone no matter how impossible or improbable it looks or feels.
Steering any path on crooked roads, we aim to stay the course, hold to somewhere near the middle, avoiding the ditch; a little to the right for most of us, a little to the left for our UK friends – in road safety, in politics, and in life.
Seriously, the path we most think about when we mouth terms like purpose, work/life balance, raison d'être, and joie de vivre.
That path we ache to travel, but how committed are we to that path, to that destination, so we won’t be distracted to another track?
I will be the first to admit, advocate for, and encourage people to keep their eyes and minds open to these forks in the road – to recognize them when they appear: the best way to avoid later regret is to explore them …
Back to the path.
Define it, own it, and follow it. Be prepared to change paths – keeping eyes and options open is how we see opportunities unfolding – but also recognize how that straying diminishes our commitment to the trail we follow. I find, every time, when I stray from a committed path on something to explore some fresh idea, alternate project, or exciting new connection, I lose focus, lose concentration, and lose commitment to the first thing in favor, or the second thing …
Too often, though, I believe we place too much emphasis on the success stories and not enough focus on the struggle stories. Is not someone who makes progress against severe odds and challenging obstacles as worthy, if not more so, than someone who achieves greater things with ease? Where is the balance? As long as our work is noble of purpose, our work will have value. One day, I fear, leisure will have more value than work as we’ve known it – and that troubles me.
Meanwhile, we need to bet on people.
On ourselves, sure – putting it all on the line.
But who else are you betting on?
Are you stretching for them too, working for them also, lifting something heavy out of their way?
I admire successful people, zealously pursuing ideas and ideals, simple or complex, to successful conclusions. Most days, I feel that way about plans, projects, and purposes too – ones important to me, to my work, to serving my clients, to serving those I seek to help.
Steady, straight, and unwavering are sometimes impossibly hard.
Not impossible.
It just feels that way …
Reader feedback:
Absolutely agree start sooner, do the very less impact possible and spread the spirit, AG, Cancun, Mex
Mark, on the personal front I agree with you completely. The "trick" is to get everyone on board. Unfortunately, I also feel if we don't get the corporations on board we won't be making a big enough "dent" and our fate is sealed, LH, Lethbridge, AB
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