What Are You Prepared To Do

"Painful as it may be, a significant emotional event can be the catalyst for choosing a direction that serves us--and those around us -- more effectively. Look for the learning." ---Eric Allenbaugh

If there is something in life, you desire and you desire it with all of your heart, how do we obtain that which we want? The thing you want in your life can be anything and everything. It can be a job, car, house, weight loss, better attitude, a relationship with a person or the Lord, anything your mind decides it desires. In the past year, I have learned more than any other time in my life. It is though the veil has been pulled away from my face and I see clearly. I have learned that the finest things we desire in our lives do not come easy and requires that you go beyond to obtain that which you seek. It requires an extra effort or sacrifice to obtain the most desirable things we seek.

My weight loss for example is driven by my why and the fact that I eat far less than I used to and I choose much better food. The thing about my weight loss is that the more I exercise or the better the food choice the more weight I lose. If I go beyond my average effort, I obtain better results. Now, this applies to about everything we can imagine. Look back on your life at things you have desired or wanted to make part of your life. Did it just come to you freely, did it take great effort, or some sacrifice to make it happen.

In one of my top twenty favorite movies, Kevin Costner and Sean Connery in the Untouchables, Sean Connery asks Costner what are you prepared to do to get Capone. He responds, everything within the law. Sean then says, and then what are you prepared to do? In other words to get one of the biggest crime leaders in the world they would have to go beyond that of the average person and beyond what they imagined. The finest things, the most valuable things, the most precious things, the most desirable things in our lives require efforts beyond average. Many times these things also require sacrifice. Sacrifice is the difficult one to digest. Anyone can give additional effort, but to give up something to achieve or obtain something else is daunting.

Is it possible to go beyond and obtain that which you so desire and retain that which you have? I have no idea and currently I am researching it greatly. Typically, when you want something or desire something, you usually have to give something up to achieve or obtain it. If you want to read a book, you have to watch less television. If you want to lose weight, you have to give up donuts, pastries, etc. If you want a new car, you have to give up the extra spending money. If you want a new job or career, you have to give up the old one. If you want to strengthen your relationship with the Lord, you have to give up sin. If you want to find and develop new love, you have to let go of old love and hurt. If you want to reside in a new location, you have to move away from your current location.

"Choosing goals that are important to you is one of the most essential things you can do in order to live your dreams." ---Les Brown

I guess this leads me to the end question. How does one live the life they desire without leaving behind the life they have? What If you desire a new life and surroundings, but do not want to leave all you have behind? What if you love to sail the oceans, but like having access to the shore and land. What if you find something so amazing and wonderful you have to be part of it, but many things you already posses are wonderful and amazing. Is it possible to go to a new career, new residence, new surroundings, and new positive, enthusiastic, inspiring, empowering support group of people around you and retain that which you love in your current life? If you have an answer to this question please comment. Is it possible to have the best of both worlds… new and old?

"We're worn into grooves by Time by our habits. In the end, these grooves are going to show whether we've been second rate or champions, each in his way in dispatching the affairs of every day. By choosing our habits, we determine the grooves into which Time will wear us; and these are grooves that enrich our lives and make for ease of mind, peace, happiness achievement." ---Frank B. Gilberth

"The thing that counts most in the pursuit of happiness is choosing the right companion." ---Source Unknown

"This one step -- choosing a goal and sticking to it -- changes everything." ---Scott Reed