Day 358, Don't Wait

Today marks the seventh day of acting as though this is the last year of my life. I'm exhausted. Physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally exhausted. I'm not just writing about the things you're reading, I'm actually practicing them. It's tiring. One of the things that is most difficult for me is that I feel a bit down. I keep asking myself why I've waited so long to live the life I really want to live. I don't have a good answer. Part of it is developmental to be sure. Part of it is wishful thinking. And, a big part is fear. Not great answers to deal with, right?

While I'm tired, I also have this new excitement for life. I feel as though just about anything is possible. I can't change the law of physics or grow feathers, so it is impossible to fly on my own. What I mean by just about anything is possible is that I believe that my dreams can become reality. But, I have to take the first step.

Hoping is not enough. Hoping is never enough. Hope, I think, is like fuel to keep us going or to get us going. Hope helps us develop resiliency and gives us courage so we can take the first, second and hundredth steps toward our dreams. And, hope, if we have any,  also gets us through. It oils the rough edges of life.

Imagine a man sitting in his home day after day hoping to meet the love of his life. The man even diligently prays, "God, let me meet her today." But, the man is too afraid to leave his home. He works from home and has everything he needs delivered to his door. He doesn't join an internet dating site. And, daily he hopes and prays that he'll meet "the one." It is highly improbable that the man will ever fall in love. He must act. He must move. He would need to get out of the house and look presentable. He would need to put himself in situations where he might meet someone. In short, he would have to take risks. If he did meet someone, he'd have to take the risk to love. God and no one else can do that for Him. Hope and prayer are not enough. I wish they were. But, WE, each of us, must move our feet while we are praying. We have to act if we are ever to reach our dreams.

There is a time to wait but we must be careful that waiting doesn't become what we do with our lives. 

I'm tired of waiting. Last month I started working towards a dream but I stalled. I stopped waiting, finally took a few steps and now I'm waiting again. Today, I'm putting an end to that. I am committed to take a step each day toward reaching my dreams. God, give me the courage to take the risks that I need to take to reach my dreams. Give me hope for the journey. Help me to stop waiting and to start living.

For now, Wade