We’re always looking forward to the next milestone. We’re thinking, I’ll finally be successful once I get to that place, or, THAT’S when my life will really begin. I’ll admit that I am one of those people. I was chomping at the bit to graduate high school, get a job, or finally start college. I just knew that when any of those happened, I’d feel fulfilled and I’d know my life had begun. But do you know what? It didn’t happen. But why? Because as soon as I reached that next goal or milestone, I immediately set my sights on the next “big thing.”
We need to start living now. We didn’t arrive to where we are now by chance; we’re meant for the situations we’ve been put in. When we constantly look forward, we fail to live fully in the present. I say that we start living now. Take the time to relax and see and be aware of what’s happening around you. Find something you enjoy doing or rediscover an old passion. Either way, enjoy now. That big break is taking its sweet time to get here. So instead of staring at the horizon, build a sandcastle and breathe in the sea air. You’ll find that you enjoy it. When that ship comes in, you won’t regret waiting on the beach because you made the best out of it and continued living.
I’m not saying we should ditch our goals and live without any preparation for the future, not at all. I’m saying that right here and right now have so much in store for us. Don’t stare so far off that you miss what is right in front of you. You’ll miss this one day and before you know it, it’ll be gone.
In the infamous words of the beloved Squire Shia LaBeouf, “Yesterday, you said tomorrow, so JUST DO IT. MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE.”
Admittedly, this may seem harsh and a tad bit off of the subject, but you get what I mean. Why put off for tomorrow what you can do today? You never hear about someone who regretted living their life to its fullest potential. No one’s last words are full of the deepest sorrows about doing awesome things and fulfilling their dreams before they thought they could.
Why wait for that false “starting line” you’ve set up for yourself? Hydrate, lace up your shoes, and put on that dry fit tank top. Who knows? You might even get a head start or even discover the race wasn’t even meant for you.
Go on. Start your life now. Your goal may seem far away, but you can make it come to you. Start here. You won’t regret it.
“Life is a journey, not a destination.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
