It’s a New Year – time for new ideas, new aspirations, and new beginnings. On January 1st we get to put the “reset” button within our own minds and suddenly, we feel that we can accomplish anything BECAUSE it’s a new year. We tell ourselves we can conquer it all; quit smoking, lose weight, travel the world, start a company, write a book. It’s almost like a day on a calender causes us to have this inner-revelation that we are actually capable of controlling our own life – that we do have the power to make things happen.
So instead of turning this into a “you should make every day new years day” post – let’s roll with the idea that January 1st is your gateway to new beginnings. It’s 2010 (well, almost), and I’m here to tell you that this year, you can and will accomplish anything you set out to do.
But before you start carrying out any of your resolutions – before you start working on turning that keg you’ve been carrying around into a six pack, or start writing chapter one of your memoirs, I want you to walk away with one minor, but very important detail.
Life – in the middle of everything you may be trying to accomplish – is about living. And the best way to live is to wake up every morning with a smile on your face.
If you’re not happy with whatever you’re doing – don’t even bother to ask yourself “why” – just stop doing it, or start doing it with a different attitude. If you’re working a dead-end retail job to pursue your dream as a singer – don’t go into work every day with a shitty attitude – instead, go into work with the full acceptance that EVERYTHING, even your mid-shift at Best Buy, is a step toward realizing your dreams.
Having the “my _____ (job, life, relationship) sucks” attitude is such a waste of time. If something really sucks that much, stop complaining and start doing – figure out a way to make things better – find a new job, make more time for yourself, end your loveless relationship and find someone who inspires you to be at your best every day. Do whatever it takes to get yourself out of the rut you’re in and start making things happen. Because at the end of the day, you don’t need Matt from Life Without Pants – I might be able to put what you’ve been thinking into perspective – maybe I can give you a nudge in the right direction – but the only way anything will ever happen is if you believe in yourself enough to “make it so” (channeling my inner Captain Picard).
Don’t let anyone trick you into thinking that your dream’s can be achieved overnight. It’s bullshit and anyone telling you otherwise is kidding themselves. But instead of thinking about a dream as a final destination, start thinking about living the dream every single day, because that’s exactly what each and every one of us are doing. If you’re reading this, you have an advantage. You have the upper hand and have been given gifts and talents that allow you to take control. Live every minute of this waking dream we call “life” (which, by the way, will pass you by before you know it) with the understanding that you are capable of anything – and before anything else, make sure you’re having fun. Life is a gift, and just like that XBOX you unwrapped on Christmas morning, it’s meant to be enjoyed.
When life IS YOUR DREAM – you can wake up every morning with a smile on your face. And if you are waking up every morning with a smile on your face – isn’t that all that matters? Life is too short for drama, it’s too short for surrounding yourself with negativity, or saying “I cant” – Life is about waking up with that smile and knowing that today is going to be an even better day than yesterday – because YOU have the ability to make it better – YOU hold the reigns – YOU are in the drivers seat of your own life.
Now get out there and kick 2010’s ass! Sweep the leg Johnny!
(Image c/o maverickguitarsx)