The Joy In Life: Be A Force of Nature

Every so often, a few words can shake you awake. Recently, I came across a quote that I felt was so profound, that I couldn’t keep it to myself. I hope that by sharing it here, you’ll let each phrase hit you right where it matters. I hope you’ll read it, let it echo in your mind, feel it in your heart, and allow it to stir something within you—a challenge to live so fully, so completely, that you have nothing left to give by the end of your days.

Take a moment. Read these words…, really read them.

“This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of nature and not a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.

I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.

I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live.

I rejoice in life for its own sake.

Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.”?

— George Bernard Shaw

This is more than a quote—it’s a battle cry, a defiant declaration against mediocrity, self-preservation, and waiting for life to cater to us. Shaw challenges each of us to throw ourselves at life like a force of nature. He dares us to break free from the cycle of complaints, of self-interest, of merely existing, and instead to live?furiously—to make every single breath count.

Imagine this: a life lived with such purpose and intensity that you are “thoroughly worn out” by the end of it. This isn’t about finding balance or moderation; it’s about giving so much that there is nothing left. It’s about pouring your energy, your talent, your love, and your willpower into something so vast and meaningful that you are empty—completely spent but utterly fulfilled. How often do we find ourselves holding back, saving something for later, choosing comfort over conviction? Shaw’s words push us to reject that hesitation, to strip away our fears and doubts, and to live as though each day is a chance to create something unforgettable.

But here’s the real truth: this isn’t a life for the faint-hearted. Living with purpose, with intensity, isn’t always easy. You’ll face setbacks, disappointments, and the nagging voice that tells you to take the safe route. But imagine, just for a moment, what it would feel like to silence that voice and go all in. To let your life burn like a “splendid torch,” blazing a trail so bright that it lights the way for others long after you’re gone.

Ask yourself: what am I holding back? Why am I waiting for the world to make me happy when I could be creating something extraordinary? There’s a choice to make here. Either you keep living cautiously, hoarding your time and energy for “someday,” or you let go and dive headfirst into the unknown, daring to be used up in the pursuit of something bigger than yourself.

I know, this isn’t a comfortable path, but that’s the point. True joy—the real kind that fills you up and drives you forward—comes not from playing it safe but from risking everything for what matters most. If you’ve ever wondered what the meaning of life is, here’s a clue: it’s not about what you get. It’s about what you give, what you pour yourself into, and the legacy you leave.

Life is no “brief candle,” Shaw says. It’s a torch—a brilliant, raging fire (maybe an Inspired Fire ??) that we hold for only a short while. And the only way to honor it, the only way to make our time worthwhile, is to let it burn as fiercely as possible before we pass it on.

So, here’s my challenge to you: Will you let go of what holds you back? Will you make the choice to live fully, to be thoroughly used up, and to give every last bit of yourself to a purpose you believe in?

This is the true joy in life. This is what it means to be a force of nature. So, what are you waiting for?

With Absolute Sincerity,

Ed Clementi, Founder & CEO of Inspired Fire, LLC

https://www.edclementi.com

https://www.youtube.com/@edclementi

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