A journey of a thousand miles....

Do you have a vision of the future that's so compelling that you can taste it? Me, too. The hard part is figuring out how to get there, right? How to make it real? Perhaps this is a good time to remember that our vision is beside the point: the true goal is the journey of discovery....

Yes, we all want to live the life of our dreams ... and we all secretly hope that, someday, somehow, our dreams will come true ... and then we go back to our normal life with resignation but probably not much hope. Why? Why are we not taking (strategic) action every day to realize the brighter future we envision?

Most folks to whom I've spoken about this over the years have shared that the challenge is figuring out how to get from where they are to where they want to be and this has them stuck (because they haven't figured it out).

Of course they're stuck: while occasionally in life the puzzle comes to us fully assembled, the vast majority of our our journey it's about figuring out the path. Yes, the destination summons us, but, we too often fail to realize, the journey is the point. Life is in fact a journey, the process of becoming who we are, and thus the end in itself.

To finish the moment, to find the journey’s end in every step of the road, to live the greatest number of good hours, is wisdom.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Think about it: truth be told, who among us wants to reach our ultimate destination right now, in this moment? None of us do: we all want to keep on livin' and learnin' and figurin' stuff out, right? Exactly! This is what should animate us, not the ultimate goal: the opportunity to seize each day to live, learn and contribute!

Don't get me wrong, I, too, suffer from future-focus. At times, it's quite overwhelming, this desire to figure it all out and create something historic and noteworthy enough to transcend the temporal ... but that's not what my life - or yours - should be about. No, there's nothing wrong with noodling our aspirations whatsoever ... provided that this noodling doesn't keep us from living fully in the present moment and actually doing something about what we are constantly envisioning.

The point is to enjoy the journey fully, which includes taking strategic and tactical action towards those wild dreams in my and your head every day. No, we don't have to figure out the entire path, but each day we can lay a brick on this golden road, right?

So what will today's brick be for you?

For me, it's writing this article. Why? Because though I don't have it all figured out yet, I know that my destiny has something to do with communication on a greater scale, so today I start small and write this article. And I commit myself to learning something new. Tomorrow? Who knows ... but today I write and learn....

Where does this all lead, this daily learning and/or writing? Honestly, I have no idea: I have so many potential scenarios in my head, some or all or none of which may turn out ... which is perfectly fine. The real living is in the daily exploration and growth, the learning and writing and conversing and contributing.

How do I know this? Because I've lived it: when I reflect on life in the last few years, I realize that there are so many things that I've explored, learned and benefited from while the things that I didn't enjoy were few and relatively minor. It turns out this commitment to daily exploration and growth is enriching and elevating in itself. So today I put another brick in the path with this piece and have not a care where this journey will ultimately lead me because I know that the path is the point and the destination a nice to have unknown.

What can you do today to prepare for whatever bigger, brighter future you envision? No, you don't have to have it all figured out, but you really should take some action, no matter how modest, today. With what activity can you gift yourself that stokes your passion for your life and future? How can you seize today in such a way that it's a singular triumph such that whatever happens tomorrow, life is great here and now?

Focus on making today great, with whatever part of it you control. Maybe you'll work for ten hours or more, but, since you're likely to be up at least sixteen, what can you squeeze into those other six? What have you always wanted to know more about but just haven't gotten around to exploring? Is there a skill or hobby that you've always been meaning to take up? Etc. I don't presume to know what such a gift to yourself could be, but I know that you do (or, at least, you can figure it out without too much effort). Commit to this and schedule it today. And tomorrow ... and....

One last suggestion: as you explore and learn, share. As you stoke your light in life, be sure to offer it to others to help illuminate your path. Chances are their reflections can be of benefit to you, too.

So now that we're clear that the journey is the point, what are you going to do today? As you consider this, be mindful of how wonderful an opportunity this is and let this spirit of gratitude carry you through today and every day. And as you fill in your path, be sure to appreciate the others whom you encounter along the way. Imagine what wonders can result as you support each other along your respective paths. After all, isn't the greatest joy in life how we share our journey?

Think about your most cherished memories: I suspect that most of them revolve around some engagement in which you were consumed by the moment and not concerned at all with what might come next. Ah, transcendence, how wonderful!

Now go create that transcendence in your life today, because it's out there waiting for you to discover it....

P.S. I had no idea that this article would turn out this way when I began it. Just another fun trip along the path of my life. Hope you've found it meaningful enough to inspire you to find your own opportunity and that, eventually, our paths may cross in a mutually beneficial way. Until then, enjoy the journey and thank you for contributing to mine!

(Photo credits: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/drake_551817?img=3; https://www.mindset2millions.com/71-popular-motivational-picture-quotes-to-give-you-strength/; https://www.spiritbutton.com/inspirational-quotes/; https://emilysquotes.com/all-journeys-have-secret-destinations-of-which-the-traveler-is-unaware/; https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/437130707575800650; https://i.pinimg.com/originals/28/fb/40/28fb4073a703e49ebf03bbebf79c2f2b.jpg; https://www.briantracy.com/blog/personal-success/26-motivational-quotes-for-success/)