~ It's About the Climb ~

We live in a fast paced world; fast cars, fast food, jet planes, cell phones, laptops etc. All of these technical and life style changes have had a definite impact on society, both positive and negative.

On the positive side, we have become the richest, most comfortable and most fortunate nation in the world. Our day-to-day lives surrounds us with conveniences future generations never experienced and present generations across the globe strive to emulate.

On the negative side it has made us the most greedy, materialistic and entitled generation to ever inhabit the earth. Each of our days are full of the desire for more of everything; more money, bigger houses, more toys, more vacations etc.

Having the desire and wishing for a better life is not the issue. God want’s all of his children to attain the finer things in life, not struggle. It’s when we are blessed with enough and are not aware of the others that touch our lives. It’s when we take them for granted, forget to be thankful and grateful or refuse to share with those less fortunate that it damages our soul and sense of being.

We focus so fervently on attaining, that we forget to give back and nurture life and ourselves. We’ve become so obsessed with obtaining more of everything, we are often not living in the present but acquiring for the future. What this means is that we spend so much of out time looking ahead, that we forget were we are. When our life consists of taking from what life has to offer and not giving back, it’s only a matter of time before the well runs dry.

Don’t get me wrong, we all need to plan to improve our lives, protect our families and make our lives more secure if we can. But at what price? Certainly not at the expense of our own good will and the consideration for our fellow man and planet.

It’s not always about more, how fast you can get there or what’s on the other side. When you’re so focused on more i.e. bigger, better, faster, I promise you that you’ll lose contact with yourself and what really matters in life, the present.

The true joys of life, the simple things are free; a hug, a smile, a walk by the ocean, the scent of a flower, the song of a bird, catching a sunrise or sunset. These are the wonderful aspects of life that you are trading and losing, if you are constantly focused on more.

When is enough, enough? When you lose your sense of self, a loved one whom you’ve ignored or realize your child is graduating from high school or college and you hardly know them.

Today is all you have, today and all the wonderful and beautiful pieces of your life that are part of that day. Life is not about how fast you can get from point a to point b, it’s about the journey. The journey is where everything that your heart and soul require lives; joy, love, hope, faith, courage, adventure, wonder, friendship and making a difference in someone’s life.

Likewise, life is not about what’s on the other side of the mountain, is about what’s here today, it’s about the climb. Who’s in your day today, which loved one or friend are you with or should you be with? Who’s climbing the mountain with you, eager to be by your side, to hear your voice, see your smile, hold your hand? Wake up and get present. Enjoy the climb today for someday when, the climb will end.

God wants us all to be healthy and happy but not at the expense of ignoring ourselves, our loved ones and our fellow man. You can’t give to someone else, what you can’t give to yourself. More does not nourish the soul or the spirit, it feeds the ego. If you would begin to slow down and focus on what you’re feeling versus what you’re thinking, you’ll begin to reconnect with your heart and soul.

Only then will you begin to enjoy the climb and be grateful for those in your life.