A Look Backwards to Change My Future...
Sky at Sunset
I was having a conversation with a friend of mine the other day. He is quite a bit younger than I am and we were talking about career choices. It made me look back on the choices I made as a young adult that formed me into who I am today.
Losing my father as a teenager made me angry and not a very thoughtful person. I went through every day not thinking about the next. I had zero plans, no cares about the future and I was ignorant of what is truly important in life. As most college age kids do, I turned to alcohol, and the related parties, as an escape from my sad reality of life. I didn’t apply myself in college and ended up quitting to attend a technical school to learn a trade. I then started my first machining job and I’ve been doing that ever since.
I passed up multiple opportunities to better myself over the years. Finishing my degree was a consideration, different job opportunities that would have had me travel and stretch my abilities were passed up, lucrative business deals were tabled. I passed up every opportunity I had to make myself better and instead chose the safe easy road to mediocrity.
Over the last few months, I have changed my mindset towards change. I have begun to embrace it and thrive on it. I have launched a new business, started writing this blog, made lifestyle changes to better my health, got more in tune with God, and above all reject the control fear has had over my life.
My advice to my friend was to take risks, live life, don’t wait for the perfect time to act, and to go explore the world. Don’t get stuck in the trap of being comfortable. Go live out your dreams and actively work towards fulfilling your vision for your life. Do it as a young adult, if possible, the longer you wait, the harder it is.
This week I encourage you to look for steps you can take now to start living out your dream, and then take the first step. You will not regret it.
“Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment.” Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt. So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you. Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.”
Proverbs 9:6-9 NLT