When you look back at your life someday, what do you plan to see? You can probably already answer this question by simply observing what you're currently obsessing over. Is it success in the workplace? A fat bank account? A big wedding? A dream home? Are the big dreams that you’re chasing so ferociously today the things that really matter most to you in life?
We all have things we give power to that in reality, have very little ability to make us live a happy and fulfilled life. “If only ______ were different” we tell ourselves… “Once I achieve _____ I'll be satisfied."
I don’t know about you, but I don't want to be so money hungry, status hungry or power hungry that I miss out on the things that really matter. Yes, I want success in the workplace- to feel I added my contribution and value to the world. Of course, I’d love a bod like Gisele and a brain like Marissa Mayer- But what I really want is deeper than that. I don’t want to become so obsessed with perfecting my resume or perfecting my abs that I lose sight of what matters- of who matters.
I want be able to disregard the number on the scale or how many chips I’ve eaten that day and not think twice about going skinny dipping with my friends on a summer night.
I don’t want to be glued to my work phone on vacation when I could be laughing by the beach with my friends; drinking beer and eating fresh salty shrimp.
I don’t want to ask surface, bullshit questions or make petty small talk when I can get the chance to really know someone’s heart.
I don’t want to let one area of disappointment steal my joy in another. No bad day at work or moment missing an ex is worth me not getting to laugh so hard that I cry on a Friday night because my friends and I are wine drunk in our pajamas and falling on our faces trying to do handstands.
When hard times hit, I don’t want to be so consumed by my own difficulties that I can’t stop and smile because of a tangerine sunset or a drooling dog.
If we’re really honest, it doesn’t really matter what your chase in life but it does matter that you make the most of what you have. It matters that your goal is to become a better person, not a more impressive one.
It matters that when life doesn’t go your way, you can be grateful and content instead of always running faster or chasing harder. Life is going to present disappointing moments. Your career can let you down. Someone you love and trust can let you down. But there is always good to be found. And if we’re always chasing what is next, we’ll miss out on all the joy that the present has to offer.
