Journey's Desire
I awoke last night with a vision for the New Year that has held me captive since 3AM this morning. The way I see it, the only way to break free is to write about it, and share my vision with YOU. The two words that penetrated my mind last night were Journey’s Desire. I have a strange habit of putting words together that usually don’t go together, because for some reason it helps me find the point of the arrow on a particular topic. Once I had the words down, I was able to get some much needed Christmas Eve sleep. You see, I am getting my five children later today, so I need to be prepared for Christmas at Dad’s (something I will talk more about later.) As soon as I woke up, the thoughts poured back in, so here they are in written form:
This morning, my thoughts came into focus about the concept of Journey and the fact that “making the effort to live” our journey is truly the secret to life. As I thought about all that is going on in my life, I soon realized that I was actually living my life as it was meant to be lived, not because of destiny or anything like that, but because of the “effort” that I have put into learning about myself and doing the things I am supposed to do.
If you think of your Journey in the form of a noun that lies at the core of your existence, then it’s quite natural to attempt to identify with the “desire” this Journey of ours has and what that means for our lives. In my view, your Journey’s Desire is all about the effort you put in to understanding yourself, to finding your purpose for your life, and to finding the correct path (which may be several) to lead you to that purpose. This simple concept is what life is all about and your personal Journey has strong Desire for you to LIVE your purpose.
The issue here is that many people don’t know what their purpose is, because they don’t try hard enough to uncover this for themselves. However, what many people find is that once they identify with the fact that are actually living this journey and trying to find their purpose, they soon realize that this is the key that unlocks this door, and they are home free.
It’s perfectly normal for one not to know what their life’s purpose is; it’s quite difficult to uncover - especially for people who have been led astray by others, live their life for others, or become what they think they should be due to outside influences. As soon as they see this as truth for themselves, all they have to do is start the “process.” Once they start the process of finding themselves, and head down the path with focus and a strong effort, they soon realize that this “effort” is what Journey’s Desire is all about.
Our Journey wants this for each of us, which is why we are each made so individually perfect in God’s eyes. We were each made to fulfill a destiny and a purpose. To NOT find out what it is is a mistake - one that leads towards depression, insecurity, and a difficult life overall. If you don’t uncover this for yourself, you will live your life with the feeling of “where do I fit in” or “why do I feel this way.” This is especially true and poignant this time of year, when everyone is supposed to be happy.
For a point of reference, I will explain what this means in my life. This time of year is usually quite difficult for me, but this year has been a little different due to my “effort” and my approach.
Being divorced, having five children, not having extended family close, and other factors usually weigh on me heavily around the Holidays; so much so, that over the last three to four years I just hold my breath and hope it ends soon. This year I took a different approach and for the first time since I’ve been on my own, I feel more content today (Christmas Day) than I have in many years.
I actually went out with my kids and got a real Christmas tree, something that I haven’t done in five years. We all went together to get new ornaments, lights, and other decorations for the house. We decorated the tree together, listened to Christmas music, and really had a nice time. I’m sure many folks who get divorced go through this, but starting over with the whole Holiday thing can prove to be daunting, especially for men - or men like me, I should say. (Don’t mean for this to be a sexist statement, but I believe women just do a better job with this stuff.)
I also went shopping on my own for Christmas gifts, another difficult task for me. However, this time I had a list of items, put a plan together, and executed this very small task that others would consider laughable, but for me, doing these types of things has always been foreign at best. I just never had the desire or skill set and usually had someone else do them; that was just the way it was. But as we all know, things change, and we must change with them.
What I realized is that I was just standing still around the Holidays, waiting for it to be over. The truth is that I was just being weak, and more importantly I wasn’t creating any lasting memories for my children. I should mention here, that I had some very close friends who helped me see this clearly this year, and I received some very sage advice to get a REAL tree, to focus on the gift giving, and to work harder to create lasting memories for my children. Thanks, by the way; you know who you are.
What I can tell you is that by accomplishing these small tasks that I had always taken for granted, I realized that this truly was my Journey’s Desire. Tackling this project, one I had not been able to do before, really felt good. It didn’t matter how big or small it was; that’s the point of this message - just by trying to do better, trying to bring more joy to my children, trying to do the right thing - the “effort” is what counts.
I feel better this year around the Holidays for a number of reasons, but mostly it’s because I am making better choices, I am living my life, and I believe that my Journey would be proud. In addition to tackling the Holiday piece with more desire and zeal than I have historically, I am also in the process of realizing another dream. As many of you know, I have just starting my own coaching and consulting firm, Affinity5. This has been a long time dream for me and it’s becoming a reality. Just taking the leap into having my own business has invigorated my life. I feel free, alive, and totally on the right path that will lead me to my purpose. I have spent countless hours analyzing my life over the last few years, and have put forth the necessary “effort” to make my life better. Now, I’m in the position I was always meant to be in, to help others. This is what my Journey wants for me. What does yours want for you?
In the end the control we have over our lives is powerful if we just keep fighting, keep trying, and keep a strong and steady focus on improvements. This is key:
“The dedicated effort on being the best we can be,
through our actions and deeds,
is the secret to happiness and success”
Here’s to an awesome 2012!
PEACE….Tony
This morning, my thoughts came into focus about the concept of Journey and the fact that “making the effort to live” our journey is truly the secret to life. As I thought about all that is going on in my life, I soon realized that I was actually living my life as it was meant to be lived, not because of destiny or anything like that, but because of the “effort” that I have put into learning about myself and doing the things I am supposed to do.
If you think of your Journey in the form of a noun that lies at the core of your existence, then it’s quite natural to attempt to identify with the “desire” this Journey of ours has and what that means for our lives. In my view, your Journey’s Desire is all about the effort you put in to understanding yourself, to finding your purpose for your life, and to finding the correct path (which may be several) to lead you to that purpose. This simple concept is what life is all about and your personal Journey has strong Desire for you to LIVE your purpose.
The issue here is that many people don’t know what their purpose is, because they don’t try hard enough to uncover this for themselves. However, what many people find is that once they identify with the fact that are actually living this journey and trying to find their purpose, they soon realize that this is the key that unlocks this door, and they are home free.
It’s perfectly normal for one not to know what their life’s purpose is; it’s quite difficult to uncover - especially for people who have been led astray by others, live their life for others, or become what they think they should be due to outside influences. As soon as they see this as truth for themselves, all they have to do is start the “process.” Once they start the process of finding themselves, and head down the path with focus and a strong effort, they soon realize that this “effort” is what Journey’s Desire is all about.
Our Journey wants this for each of us, which is why we are each made so individually perfect in God’s eyes. We were each made to fulfill a destiny and a purpose. To NOT find out what it is is a mistake - one that leads towards depression, insecurity, and a difficult life overall. If you don’t uncover this for yourself, you will live your life with the feeling of “where do I fit in” or “why do I feel this way.” This is especially true and poignant this time of year, when everyone is supposed to be happy.
For a point of reference, I will explain what this means in my life. This time of year is usually quite difficult for me, but this year has been a little different due to my “effort” and my approach.
Being divorced, having five children, not having extended family close, and other factors usually weigh on me heavily around the Holidays; so much so, that over the last three to four years I just hold my breath and hope it ends soon. This year I took a different approach and for the first time since I’ve been on my own, I feel more content today (Christmas Day) than I have in many years.
I actually went out with my kids and got a real Christmas tree, something that I haven’t done in five years. We all went together to get new ornaments, lights, and other decorations for the house. We decorated the tree together, listened to Christmas music, and really had a nice time. I’m sure many folks who get divorced go through this, but starting over with the whole Holiday thing can prove to be daunting, especially for men - or men like me, I should say. (Don’t mean for this to be a sexist statement, but I believe women just do a better job with this stuff.)
I also went shopping on my own for Christmas gifts, another difficult task for me. However, this time I had a list of items, put a plan together, and executed this very small task that others would consider laughable, but for me, doing these types of things has always been foreign at best. I just never had the desire or skill set and usually had someone else do them; that was just the way it was. But as we all know, things change, and we must change with them.
What I realized is that I was just standing still around the Holidays, waiting for it to be over. The truth is that I was just being weak, and more importantly I wasn’t creating any lasting memories for my children. I should mention here, that I had some very close friends who helped me see this clearly this year, and I received some very sage advice to get a REAL tree, to focus on the gift giving, and to work harder to create lasting memories for my children. Thanks, by the way; you know who you are.
What I can tell you is that by accomplishing these small tasks that I had always taken for granted, I realized that this truly was my Journey’s Desire. Tackling this project, one I had not been able to do before, really felt good. It didn’t matter how big or small it was; that’s the point of this message - just by trying to do better, trying to bring more joy to my children, trying to do the right thing - the “effort” is what counts.
I feel better this year around the Holidays for a number of reasons, but mostly it’s because I am making better choices, I am living my life, and I believe that my Journey would be proud. In addition to tackling the Holiday piece with more desire and zeal than I have historically, I am also in the process of realizing another dream. As many of you know, I have just starting my own coaching and consulting firm, Affinity5. This has been a long time dream for me and it’s becoming a reality. Just taking the leap into having my own business has invigorated my life. I feel free, alive, and totally on the right path that will lead me to my purpose. I have spent countless hours analyzing my life over the last few years, and have put forth the necessary “effort” to make my life better. Now, I’m in the position I was always meant to be in, to help others. This is what my Journey wants for me. What does yours want for you?
In the end the control we have over our lives is powerful if we just keep fighting, keep trying, and keep a strong and steady focus on improvements. This is key:
“The dedicated effort on being the best we can be,
through our actions and deeds,
is the secret to happiness and success”
Here’s to an awesome 2012!
PEACE….Tony
Proud of you and happy for you and your children! Creating good and lasting memories with our children is always a great priority of good parenting, as we know kids grow really fast. Journey's Desire is a great blog, reminder for us to get back in focus on what's really important and matter most in our life.You can't go wrong on finding your purpose here, on how we can make a difference on positive approach, and its a "feel good" outcome in the end. And if we can multiply our efforts to make someones' life better, spread like a web,then peace, joy , love, and happiness will be abundant. All these are possible, on my experience, with God on my side always!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful writing Tony. Thank you for sharing. You are always an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteTeri
Nice Job Tony...I have been there myself and you are exactly right...When we realize that God has given us the strength we need to do what we need to do ( I can to ALL things through Christ who Strengthens me..Philippians 4:13)...then GET UP AND ANSWER OUR OWN PRAYERS...we begin the Journey that He intended for us from the beginning..Good for you Tony!!
ReplyDeleteWell said!!! Good Luck with All your New Ventures this Year!
ReplyDeleteMerry Chrismas and HAPPY New Year Tony!
ReplyDeleteI keep reminding my brothers that memories are the best gifts they can give to their children :) I'm glad to read you had a nice Christmas Tony!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Tony! Thank you for sharing your personal feelings and inpirational words of wisdom. I enjoyed reading Journey's Desire because it brought to light many of my own sentiments. I am happy that this year you were able to create special memories that you and your children will cherrish. This year, I also found more fulfillment in the crafting of activities and fostering unforgettable memories with family and friends. It was far more rewarding then fending off the crazed Holiday warriors at the malls! Also, I believe that this kind of effort should be part of our life purpose. When we dedicate ourselves to making other people happy and satisfied, be it on a personal level with friends and family, or on a business setting with colleagues and clients...all things begin to turn in our favor as well. Best wishes for an outstanding 2012 where you and your business soar to unlimited heights...
ReplyDelete