“A Grateful Dog Has More Worth Than An Ungrateful Man”
Happy 2019!
With the New Year comes a “New slate” with mass resolutions pouring out of the virtual woodwork.....But these “resolutions” always say a lot about what is making someone unhappy. They border on being complaints that scream “I want to be more successful” in a multitude of ways. I mean what’s wrong with being “average”? Those who live very hum drum lives can be very productive, happy and healthy people.....Sometimes what appears “boring” is only because it’s balanced and not a life full of drama or constant unattainable expectations. Just think of how unappealing a ride at Dorney Park would be if it had no bumps, hills, whips, sharp turns and was going slow at one speed the entire time. It’s still a ride, but it would be more fun to go on the ROLLER COASTER if you are a thrill seeking person.
I guess this is why people don’t want to work on actual “relationships” as a goal or emotional intelligence as a resolution. It’s a slow train to the coal region and they’re only serving stale peanuts :( . Many resolutions tend to be monetary or physical in nature and people are able to quantify the “results” (which they so desperately need to feel successful). So who will actually benefit and who will suffer from the attempts to meet these “goals”? Why do most people fail?
It’s my opinion that people see the New Year as a chance to “set the bar high”. Conjuring up expectations for themselves that might not be realistic or achievable. When “resolutions” are not implemented with a well thought out plan that is broken down into incremental short term goals (with actual strategies), and they go at it “balls to the wall” immediately, this can be a remedy for failure. A big general goal with no game plan causes burn out and everything can deteriorate. FYI-When you post a meme saying you’re going to weed out all the negative people from your life for the year...believe it or not, that’s not a real strategy.
How many people choose to not prioritize what’s important on the road to accomplishing their goals? Chances are that the truly “essential” things in life that you “assume” will always be there (for you) will take a backseat because you feel “achieving your objective” should supersede everything else. Or that your “goal” is inevitably going to benefit the people that mean the most to you, so they can “hang in there” and wait for the fruits of your hard work b/c “it’ll all be worth it”. Some examples of these goals are- making more money (to have the means for a “better” house, car, vacations and material nonsense), of course getting in better PHYSICAL shape (for your health...which is many times more a vanity issue), going back to college, and achieve more authority/recognition at work. Lets be realistic here....That “time” is not ever guaranteed. You making more money, your prettiness and your rank in society, work or sports is meaningless in the grand scheme of your “relationships” and life. Accidental death, disease and just kids “growing up” HAPPEN bc LIFE HAPPENS....and you can’t get time back. I encourage you to rethink your goals, prioritize and come up with strategies and a “game plan” to keep a “balance”. I believe in self improvement....trying to better yourself....but as I get older I have a healthier understanding that we can’t turn back the clocks. You miss your kids growing up now b/c of recreational activities, additional schooling, recreational sports or work? You wont get that back. You aren’t making that emotional connection that is SO important (and so many people think they can make up for it with “condensed time” or buying them “stuff”). Making money for that beautiful house, car, fancy phone or exotic vacations- Meaningless! Busting you butt and missing time all year long for the materialistic bullcrap and the fancy vacations isn’t going to give you back what you’ve missed out on....and it certainly isn’t going to give it back to the people you ignored 75% of the year.....
“Stuff” is expendable (nonsense). Time with the people we love=priceless.
Live so you have no regrets.