The Time of Year when purposeful change is upon us.
Here we are, the first full week in January. The time when resolutions are the theme and goals are fresh. When optimism is brimming.
I remember many years ago, when the new year meant I had another shot, at least emotionally, to finally get out of the quagmire I was stuck in. That’s the beauty of January. The “feeling” that now we can make the changes…the truth is that everyday of the year can be a January mentality, but that’s a topic for another day…
I remember desperately wanting to finally get away from being “broke.” Feeling worn out from financial stress, debt, and not enough money to finish the month in December, and then having a determined desperation to change it come January. I remember desperately wanting to feel like I was accomplishing something. I looked around at the people in my life who were making progress in life and wanted to break out of the feeling of “why is it not happening for me?”
Anyway, the theme of those days was desperation. It’s been a long time since I had that kind of desperation in my life. Now my focus is more in the direction of inspiration. The late Jim Rohn, one of my all-time favorite inspirational figures and teachers, consistently preached the message of positive change being driven from desperation or inspiration. I believe we are suffering from a lack of desperation in today’s world. At least in nations like the U.S.
There is so much abundance even in minimal circumstances. Most people have plenty of food and all the entertainment they could want regardless of their financial station in life or the contribution they are making to society (I know there are homeless and impoverished who don’t have even this, but I am speaking in terms of the majority). When we are only focused on ourselves and our own comfort and entertainment, it is difficult to be in a desperate state anymore.
It is vital that we look outward as opposed to inward. Look inward to assess what we have to offer, what we feel called to do, what we can do to make a mark in the world relative to making a contribution, what we can develop. Look outward to see the need, to see the possibilities, to see the endless adventure life can be. Inspiration, this is the most significant, exciting, joyful, change agent. This is where life is so amazingly abundant, that the hardest part is picking between all the possibilities that are in your wheelhouse to throw yourself into.
This is where I want to be all the time. Desperately inspired.
Become desperate to make yourself the best you can be. Not just for yourself or what it will bring you, but for the impact you can make in the area of your choosing, the fruit it will bear for you will naturally increase as a result. It will be the reward for having made a difference. You are a blessed and powerful force whether you know it or not. If you don’t know it yet, start taking inventory of all your abilities, affinities, knowledge bases, resources, skills, personality traits, and passions, and you will find there is so much good in you that its amazing you don’t just burst open.
Be desperately inspired.
