Life is a journey, not a destination.
It’s funny how simple things can remind us of this. This past weekend I had the opportunity to hang out with some old friends. More accurately, they are people that I have known for a long time. I discovered that we didn’t have too much in common anymore. What was once fun and exciting, seemed like a waste of time. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy seeing these people, but it was very apparent how far apart we have grown.
A man who is the same at 40 as he was at 30 has wasted 10 years of his life. We should all be constantly striving to improve ourselves and develop new and more positive personality traits as we shed older, more detrimental ones.
Don’t play a character, be true to yourself.
I wonder if I am the only person who has experienced this. I would bet that I am not. We all have people in our past that represent chapters we’ve turned the page on. It is easy to seek gratification and happiness in these former relationships, but it is the opposite of living in the moment.
If we aren’t vigilant, we can find ourselves “playing a character” so that we can be the person our acquaintances remember. This can result in confusion and pain as you try to match who you are now, with who you were then.
Know yourself.
This experience reiterates why it is so important to take the time to know yourself. It is perhaps your most important mission: self-discovery. If we are not firmly rooted in the moment and in who we have worked so hard to become, then we are ships with no rudder, being tossed about on waves over which we have no control.
Now, I am not suggesting that you cut ties with old friends. However, it will always be beneficial to examine each relationship you have in your life. Honor the person you have become over the memory of who you were. You will gain a better understanding of who the actual “you” is as you work towards this goal.
Spend some time alone in reflection. Spend time reading inspirational texts and listen to positive talks and surround yourself with individuals who reflect the person you are working to become. Obviously, I am going to suggest meditation. It is only in this focus on the breath, free from all thought and outside influence, that you will be able to find the peace you need to discover who you are. Once you do that, don’t think you are done. It is an ongoing practice. We have already established that environment is stronger than will. Make sure you are spending your time and surrounding yourself with the proper environment. Seek out those people who are who you aspire to be and who reinforce the person you have worked hard to become.