I was thinking about the talk about the upcoming end of the world. It’s a pretty popular topic. I mean, if the Mayans predicted it and it is on them Internets, it must be so.. right?
I’m up for an “end of the world party” as much as the next guy and with the end happening days before Christmas, that Christmas budget you didn’t plan for can now be allocated for the big final gathering of friends.
But what I really started thinking about was the end of 2012!
I’m skeptical of the Mayan prediction. In fact, shhhhh… I am not even attending an end of the world party. I know, blasphemous, right?
I’m pretty sure it isn’t going to happen. But 2012 is certainly going to end! And then what?
It’s Not About New Year’s Resolutions but Resolving To Live
If you’ve read me long enough, you know that I sort of boo hoo the whole new year’s resolution thing. I’m a fuddy-duddy that way. Mostly because I feel like resolutions are to be made daily. Every day you are provided an opportunity to decide to do something… or not. Pursue some big goal.. or not! Exercise and eat better… or not! You get the picture… or not!
I’m not against reflecting and planning at year end! In fact, I try to evaluate weekly & monthly too.
But here is what I was thinking about. 2012 is coming to an end. Maybe the world isn’t ending in some cataclysmic Armageddon. Maybe it’s worse than that. Maybe it’s your dream that is ending; just one of them.. or many.
Maybe you had plans to accomplish something in 2012 – something big… something that well-meaning naysayers told you was impossible or so improbable it might as well be impossible.
If that is the case, it is no cause for a party! It may be cause for a wake. I hate to be a downer but…
On the other hand, maybe it is time you wrote a Declaration of Independence, had a spiritual/creative rebirth, and a private “come to Jesus” meeting with yourself. Maybe what has to come to an end isn’t the world… but the patterns, indecision, and willingness to listen to the “agents of pessimism”.
Note: The “Agents of Pessimism” readily identify themselves with statements like, “I’m a realist,” or “I’m being realistic;” or something similar. Who came to mind for you when you read the previous sentence? Someone or many someone’s did.
Beware their well-meaning advice.
Ideas to help you:
- Doubt is normal!
You can’t think your way out of doubt. You overcome doubt with consistent action and results. - You will need to sacrifice something!
Junk Food! TV! “Friends!” Going out drinking/partying! Sleep! Don’t talk about it, no one needs to know, just sacrifice it! In a month, you won’t miss it! - Find a Coach/Mentor.
Not a “yes” man/woman! They should intimidate a little you because they push you – because you need it or you wouldn’t need this advice.. right? - DO NOT WAIT!
This isn’t a new year’s thing. It isn’t an 11.21/2012 thing. It isn’t a “next weekend I’ll start” thing. It is a right now – one small step today – thing!
What’s at stake?
Are you celebrating the end of the world? The end of your dream? Or would you rather join me in celebrating the revitalized pursuit of that dream?
Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Boy, talk about ‘when the student is ready (or needy) the teacher appears! The lines rattling in my head this morning were from a Patti Griffin song: “You know you’re coming to some kind of understanding/ When every dream you’ve had has left and you’re still standing.” So, thanks…needed this!
Lucy,
I’m glad it impacted you. Believe me, I write not because I have it right – but because it helps me see it more clearly. I’m learning right along with you. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Matthew, you got it right! Thanks!
Cynthia,
Is must be one of those rare occassions. 😉
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed.
A great reminder that small steps made today are just as important as giant leaps. 2012 is ending but my pursuits are revitalized for 2013!
some specific dreams to come to mind… good idea to start today.. not next month.. next year..
The end is always near
But don’t fear
For do we
Really know
Maybe we’re
Not really here
Yet only a story
Like some crazy
Sci-fi show
Or remember
The Twilight Zone
What ever
If you
Happen to go
Just remember
Don’t forget to
To phone home
Cause Mother Earth
Will be somewhere
Out there missing you
signed Walter Scott Blamer III / Walter Scott III
Author of Hitchhiking With An Angel
Published by http://www.Authorhouse.com
Thanks for this reminder, Matt. I just returned from a week of vacation and spent the day just thinking and planning. It’s interesting to me that the baby steps that need to be taken in a creative life aren’t really that glamorous or exciting. They’re the trudge, trudge, trudge of daily pressures and MAKING time to do what’s important. I love this quote by Anne Lamott: “Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work. You don’t give up.” I pray that everyone reading your post dusts off their hope and starts down the path toward their dreams. Thanks for helping them (and me) along the way! 🙂
I completely agree, except the Mayan end of the world. I am always in my dream, which is to get my Bachelor’s degree in Computer Networking. I wake up everyday, and live it like it is my last, because I know it could very well be the last. As I get older, I lament all the wasted days in my youth, but knowing I wasted so many days, makes me work harder at my dream.