My Reach to Optimize, Part 2

Why?

What is it that drives me?

What compels me to not only refuse to give up, but repeatedly – again and again – reach to make the most of it?

Live full tilt!! I cannot control the outcome! What has happened is done and gone. My choices are limited to either I can make the best of it OR not!

I was raised while being encouraged to reach for the highest, grandest star I/we could imagine. Pam, my wife and I raised our sons with similar encouragement.

Does that sound familiar?

As promising as this future sounds, I’ve come to realize that although it’s partially true, it teaches a misperception. It’s a facet that advocates and promotes the wrong point – What do you expect from life?

Indeed, it led me to wonder and dream about – What do I ask of life?

While that’s true to an extent, it’s akin to putting the buggy before the horse; the caboose in front of the train locomotive and expecting it to pull the train forward.

You see, I’ve discovered the point is: What great wonderous things does life ask of me?

What does life expect me to do? What does it want me to give to it?

First, I give – then I receive!

I plant the crop to grow then harvest.

I, each of us, come into this world with a gift. I call it a Creative Intention. Whether I visualize it as my responsibility, obligation or opportunity, I think of it as my crop. It’s my gift to life.

This is important and bears repeating: My Creative Intention, my crop, is my gift to life. It’s my responsibility, obligation, and opportunity. Whichever way I look at it, it’s all three.

“Create Me”, Neil Diamond’s story of life endlessly calling to me. Expectantly asking me to bring wonderous beautiful things into our world.

Until next time,
Joe

P.S. Often, when things have gone deeply wrong, I karaoke “Lovin’ You Again”, Emmylou Harris’s story of falling, missing the goal, failing miserably before turning to God. Asking for help. Forgiveness.

This led me to write my story of visualizing God, smiling, saying “My child is growing!” then lovingly hugging me. This makes me feel warm and loved. So good that I’m ready to practice again.

Embrace reaching to optimize!