Make It Count

You’ve said it, I’ve said it, we’ve all said, “I want I want I want I want ______ .” Either we’re not happy with where we’re at or we just want more of what we already have. It’s called being human, and unfortunately, once we have grasped everything that we’ve ever wanted in life, our dreams start dissipating into thin air. What do we keep striving for? For someone who has everything, can you imagine what dreams they still have left? Do they start seeking out other things for gratification other than materialistic and monetary items, like having affairs or dipping into drugs or alcohol to make them feel differently? I’ve always wondered about this, until one day it finally hit me: what if we are here to make every single moment of our life count? Okay, so you want to get from point A. to point B. in your life, but what about the journey? What about all the little things in between? Even if you have all the money in the world, what about making a difference in somebody else’s life?

But, I digress. I need to speak about the 98% of you reading this who still have dreams left. So many of us are spending too much time dreaming about our past and future, when the best is right here: the “now”. Our present time is more important than yesterday or tomorrow. What about accepting our lot in life, whether we’re selling trinkets on eBay or accomplished entrepreneurs or businesspeople still striving to better ourselves? This quote in Ecclesiastes says it all: “Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat well, drink a good glass of wine, and enjoy their work--whatever they do under the sun--for however long God lets them live. And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life--that is indeed a gift from God. People who do this rarely look with sorrow on the past, for God has given them reasons for joy.”

There are so many people who think life is meaningless. And in some cases, yes that very true if thought about in an unconventional way. So why not make it count “now”, instead of waiting for the inevitable? Make it worth it. For me, as a Christian, I have complete faith in God and believe that there is a bigger plan after our lives, but for those of you who are agnostic or atheist, it’s still worth it to go the extra mile. A good friend of mine once said something really significant to me about atheists. She said, “You know, atheists do good things because they want to, not because they’re afraid of God or seeking out God’s approval.” I thought that was really interesting, especially since most of humanity seeks out for approval and a pat on the back for a good deed done. Some Christians and other religious people do good deeds purely out of guilt and the fear of God ---which is not a good motive in my opinion.

Most of you will nod in agreement while reading this last quote:

“I have observed something else in this world of ours. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise are often poor, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being at the right place at the right time. People can never predict when hard times might come. Like fish in a net or birds in a snare, people are often caught by sudden tragedy.” -Ecclesiastes 9:11-12

Whether you agree with that or not, just take a look at Ted Williams: intelligent and talented, but not successful. He’s still trying to battle with drug addiction and it can’t happen overnight, which is why he is in rehab now. It does take chance, willingness and drive. I remember sitting in a cushy IBM office in accounting, with no significant education behind me, while all my other friends with an extensive college backgrounds wanted so desperately to get into the same seat I was in. They usually ended up in some retail store helping customers, (which is not a bad thing) but they weren't pursuing their initial dreams and constantly faxing in their resumes, until finally they gave up and settled for less than what they wanted. If you want it ---get it. If you have the talent for it --show them. If you think you can --you will. And if you are happy with where you are in life, enjoy it and make it count.

For more of Deb's articles, please visit: www.debrapasquella.com