Sit down in a quiet place. Close your eyes. Take stock of who you are for a minute. Is it who you want to be? Perhaps it is in some areas, but most likely not in all. That’s ok. Life is fluid. Some of it is out of our control, but some of it isn’t. That’s where you come in.
It’s been snowing since yesterday afternoon in Falls Church, and since it wasn’t wise to be driving around, it was the perfect reason for me to be in my pjs on my couch in front of the computer working on Project Me. I spent yesterday morning and afternoon writing an article. Then I typed up a list of goals, which I’d saved to my computer and shared with a few friends. Writing goals down or typing them is so important. It’s like a contract with yourself to get you to the improved you in a defined time. My goals include a spectrum of activities that range from effort intensive and boring, but fulfilling once completed to pure enjoyment. It’s the second year I’ve created and typed up goals. Some I did carry over from last year, but I had completed the majority. I decided to continue working on them. The view from my living room of continuous falling snowflakes was the perfect backdrop to keep me inspired. So I finished a real estate course for my post licensing education requirements. I tried a new smoothie for lunch to keep me in line with my health goals. Then I noticed the snow was letting up, and I really wanted to get a picture of it while it was falling in the daylight and beautifully white before it was ruined by all of the salt. So I got dressed and went out on my balcony to capture it. Fortunately, the snow picked up again. After trying different angles with different lighting, I finally took the photo I loved right before it started becoming dark. The photo inspired me to write – another one of my goals.
Here’s how I see it. I had a window of opportunity. It doesn’t snow every day. I’m not at home every day. I’m not working part-time every day. I’m not as financial challenged as I now am every day. I don’t have this time every day. So I chose to spend it working toward who I want to be. As I write, it’s dark outside and still snowing. I’m reminded of the scene from one of my favorite movies – It’s a Wonderful Life. It starts to snow again. George Bailey realizes he’s alive, and he runs down Bedford Falls grateful for everything in his life. I’m grateful. The time is now. Not tomorrow. Now. So be grateful for who you are and let that gratitude drive you charging through all of the barriers to who you want to be.