There are no
shortcuts to any place worth going.
-- Beverly Sills
(1929-2007) American Opera Singer
In this day and age, everyone wants a quick fix. A fast
solution. An instant remedy. Not only do we want it, we expect it. Technology
has hurled us into the age of instant gratification. However, if you look at
the really important things in life, a shortcut doesn’t exist. You can try to force it,
but you’ll often have negative effects.
After I quit smoking I decided I wanted to start running,
I knew it would take a while to get where I wanted to be. Possibly a long
while. That was when I first employed one of the thoughts, or mantras, I live
by now – The sooner I start, the sooner I’ll be where I want to be. I don’t
say, “The sooner I start, the sooner I’ll be finished”. I don’t want to be
“done”. I’m not looking for finality. I’m looking for a knowledge of
experience, if you will. A proficiency of adventure. In running, I definitely
found that! Plus some! Between fighting to make it up that hill and nursing soft-tissue
injuries, I found that running is an entire lifestyle that is truly an
adventure in itself. I learned that I can get past any obstacle with
perseverance and patience. Patience. That’s the tough one. Most people can find
the strength to power through whatever life issue they’re facing. That’s human
nature – to survive the elements. But patience. I’ve found that most people
struggle with that. To sit and do nothing. To wait. You have to quiet the
worrisome, negative voice in your mind and coax out the positive, hopeful one.
To lose patience is to let the former win out.
Any dream you have or goal you want to reach is absolutely attainable. Learning a new language or starting a business or earning a degree - anything you want to do is possible. You have to acknowledge the fact that it will not be easy, nor will it be quick. You do not need to be frightened of this fact, you only need to be aware of it. It’s your next adventure and it will include all of the ups and downs – that’s what makes it an adventure! And, it will be worth it.
