The Finish Line is in Sight
Win on purpose
There’s an old Just-for-Laughs prank I love. It’s well worth the 2 minutes to watch, but in short, someone out for a relaxing bike ride is suddenly caught up in a giant bike race, and they end up crossing a finish line in first place with fans cheering, a medal ceremony waiting, and lots of smiles.
So much of my life is like this unintentional racer. I am in a race, but I don't act like it. I don't relentlessly pursue the life I want or the legacy I want to leave behind. Too often, I doddle through life, not trying to make a difference in the world or build something that will outlast me. Instead, I'm content to be just like those unsuspecting racers inadvertently finishing the race.
Life is an odd race
Life is a race with only one finish line. We don't like to think about it, but death comes for us all. We become so wrapped up in the pleasures and details of daily living that it can be easy to ignore what lies ahead and forget our mortality - no matter how old or young.
Life is a race like no other, and the victors are not those who finish first. The true winners of life's marathon are people devoted to loving God and each other; individuals generous with their time and possessions; defenders of the powerless, focused on where they are instead of desiring somewhere or something else--secure in faith, at home with family, embracing others as friends.
Stop Rambling! How do I start living this life?
So how can we start living life with the finish line in sight? How do we build and live for a vision of life 10, 20, 50 or even 80 years from now? For many, it feels as if life is unending. We rarely live as though tomorrow isn't guaranteed. We seldom assume today is all we have.
Hyatt & Harkavy's Living Forward is the best guide I've found to help navigate these waters. They provide actionable steps that help you craft a Life Plan that minimizes regret, enables good decision-making, and maximizes your joy and the joy of those dearest to you.
Hyatt and Harkavy recommend reading to a point and then carving out one day to sit, think, write, and craft your Life Plan. I've gone through their process three times now, refining my Life Plan, and each time I do it, I come away with a clearer vision of where I want to be and how to get there. That last part is important. I cannot recommend their book enough. It's life-changing.
Truth in the Prank
Watching that Just-for-Laughs prank reminds me of what we want in the end – we want to be surrounded by those we love and those who love us. Those who are sad to see us go but have been blessed by us. Most importantly, we want to be welcomed in by our Maker and told, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
These outcomes are not inevitable. They require a vision, along with specific goals and objectives to be achieved. I sincerely hope you feel inspired to craft a Life Plan to run this ultimate race with joy and hope.
Please consider supporting my work by buying the book using my affiliate links, below. Thank you.
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Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want
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Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want