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 No One Gets Out Alive
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Most people are familiar with the immortal words of Mark Twain, who said, “The only things certain in this life is death and taxes.” While some politicians might promise to do away with certain taxes, I know of no one who can guarantee that you can get out of this life alive. Those who believe in God and an Afterlife are even more likely to understand that this precious gift which is life on this earth has a time limit on it, and when its over, my friends, it is REALLY over.
One would think that the knowledge that Life is finite would motivate each of us to make the most of the time that we’ve been given. But that’s not the case. Many of us live out our days on the sidelines, content simply to watch as others take to the field and play the game. To use another analogy, many people live their lives like it is a dress rehearsal, never ever making it to opening night, never hearing the roar of the crowd, the thundering applause, never feeling themselves sweat under the hot lights.
I think Earl Nightingale put it best when he said “Most people tip toe through life safely to death”. But what are the rewards of a life lived out in comfortable safety? A plush sense of safety will not guard you from your inevitable passing, but it may well block you from living out your dreams!
Although I would never condone mindless recklessness, I still find myself wondering, “Why would any intelligent person feel compelled to play it so safe that they would let their dreams whither away? Who would choose to die without first having lived?” Constantly asking myself these questions has created a passion in me, which is to discover and implement new ways of getting people off the sidelines and into the game. As a writer and motivational speaker, I help people to live their dreams and find their own happiness. I’m among those who will tell you that Life is nothing less than a Great Adventure waiting for you to take it on.
On the road to living out my own dream, I have read countless books and articles, attended seminars and speaking events, and interviewed life coaches and spiritual teachers of all stripes. And I have I found one all-important truth in which they each want you to know: despite what anyone has ever told you, the truth is that you have more control over your life than you might have ever imagined. In fact, you have Complete Control. It’s true! When living the Great Adventure, you have Complete Control over your attitude, your confidence, and the way you see yourself. Certainly, you don’t always have control on what happens, but you can control what you do with what happens, how you react and how you deal with the circumstances.
Of course, because you do not always have control over the circumstances, this Great Adventure that is your life will not always be fun. In fact it can be very uncomfortable at times. The hard-core truth behind life’s many discomforts is another one of those important facts that teachers the world over want you to know. In his book, “The Road Less Traveled”. Scott Peck says “Life is Difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that is difficult-once we truly understand and accept it- then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, that fact that life is difficult no longer matters “
Be careful not to be one of those poor souls who see difficulties as an excuse for quitting on your dreams. Such people, in all truthfulness, have let Fear overcome their love of Life. Fear is the real reason most of us never get off the sidelines. Fear requires of us that we create a false need for safety in ourselves. Fear promises that we will be free of discomfort if we do as it commands. But Fear lies to us; the discomfort never goes away. Fear demands that we remain small, never striving, but still full of pain! We wonder why we are so unhappy, and dissatisfied with life when it is so clear that Fear is making us miserable.
Those same great teachers who tell us that pain is inevitable also counsel us that Fear can be beaten. You don’t need to be born with super-human abilities. You don’t need to be anyone rich or important. Regardless of your Fear it can be overthrown, and you can take control. You can decide that your life is up to you!
Of course, leaving behind Fear, and choosing to take control of your life takes practice and a lot of work. We are talking about really making a serious change in your life, after all! Here is a simple exercise that will help you get started. Take a pen a paper and ask yourself; what is my fear costing me? Take your time and really think about it. Make a list of all the things you have sacrificed in your life by choosing to go with your Fear, rather than follow your Dreams. You may find out that your Fear is rather expensive. If you are really honest, you will find that your fear is costing you your quality of life.
Now, on another page, make a list of what you stand to gain, assuming that you are willing to work through your Fear. What are the possibilities?
Now look at these two lists. There, right before your eyes is everything that you stand to lose, by not getting off the sidelines and by not getting into the game.
Of course, it can never be easy, this process of changing you from a sideliner to a real player. Anyone who says it’s easy is no teacher you should trust. The obstacles on your journey will be many. Simply by choosing to become a player and choosing to be in control, you are bound to offend a few people that you know. Hopefully they will get over it. You will also likely make mistakes, having to learn a few life lessons the heard way, and having to clean up your messes. But by losing your Fear, you have also lost your fear of screwing up once in a while, so you will be all right. I truly believe that. But even more importantly, you will have lived life to the fullest, you will have explored, you will have grown, developed and made the world a much better place, by exposing the fact that you are willing to face your fears. Eventually, you will be a mentor and teacher for others. You will design the life that you want. You will live your dreams. You will have left mediocrity behind.
Plan to have no regrets on you deathbed. Plan to take this opportunity that God has provided, to learn as much as you can, to see and do great things and to give back as much as you can before it’s all over. After all, in this world, No One Gets Out Alive. But some choose to live while they are here!
Michael McGauley- The Dream Builder |
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