I remember in my early 20’s, sitting at the Airport Diner in Bohemia, Long Island at 11pm with an old friend catching up and discussing life. I recall being dissatisfied with where I was and pondering what was next.
Oddly enough, I remember the conversation well. It went like this…
My friend: “Con, I feel as if you will never be happy. You are always wanting for the next. It’s as if you are never satisfied.”
Me: Whaaaaa…?? (Insert frowny face 🙁 here)
OMG. He was totally right. I recall sitting there with nothing more to say other than thinking, geeeez, what is my problem…if this is my life I am so screwed.
Fast forward 10 years later…
I finally have a new understanding of the conversation that night. It’s interesting when you finally realize that seemingly insignificant pieces of your past really do have significance.
That night, I thought I had a problem. I feared the mere thoughtof going through life never being crazy-excited about waking up each day, always wanting for more, never getting it, being strangely disappointed that I would be subjected to the same long career, typical marriage in my mid-twenties and juggling some kids until they were old enough for college. Definitely Ok for some people, but for me…
Little did I realize that the exact opposite would soon happen and I would owe it to the conversation that night as my inspiration…
What I realized was…
I felt bad that night, but not because my friend was right. I felt bad because that conversation revealed that I was focused in direct opposition to everything I ever wanted: a better job, more money, an awesome relationship … etc.
I was allowing some else’s perspective of me, based on their own limited thinking (unknowingly of course…), to influence how I felt about myself and my desire to consistently grow.
As a result, I came to a very clear understanding, one in which I appreciate my friend for calling me out on…
90% of the population is content with the status quo. They begin a career, work hard all their lives, wake up on Monday looking forward to Friday, and count down the years to retirement. And if that’s you and that makes you super happy, then great.
But if you are anything like me and find the status quo terribly boring and suffocating to say the least, then you are in luck…
What I finally realized is that there is are 10% just like me, who also believe…
Life is about the evolution of YOU. Which means you are always going to be wanting for more. Long gone are the days when you pick one career and stick with it your entire life. Instead you will create a goal, accomplish the goal and then move on to the next…
And there is nothing wrong with this at all!
In fact, the most growth, fun and satisfaction you will experience in life, is when you continuously expand your boundaries. This is where increased confidence plays a role. The more you try new things and accomplish what you set out to do, the more confidence you find in yourself. It is pretty amazing and life-giving once you start on this journey of self-growth.
The second realization is something equally important and one that I was guilty of for years…
Appreciating YOURSELF. For years I neglected to pay attention and appreciate everything that I had accomplished so far. This includes everything, the little things, the great things and even the things you screwed up royally. Everything you do must be appreciated, because everything you do helps you clarify your likes and dislikes.
Some things you will want more of and some things you’ll realize that once tried, there is never a reason to have to do that again. Every experience allows for you to make better decisions that are aligned with the NEW YOU and what you are moving towards.
Start Loving Life now…
Life is about progress. Life does not stand still. Life only seems to stand still when you keep doing the same things over and over again. This equals boring, stuck and the feeling of discontent.
Don’t feel bad for consistently wanting to grow and evolve. That is what a fun, amazing life is about. Expand your boundaries and life will expand with you, allowing new and great experiences to come your way.
Appreciate everything you can about everything you have lived so far. Give credit where credit is due. Every experience has created the person you are today. Don’t allow any bad experience to consume you, instead appreciate the bad experience as a clarifying moment.
Appreciate yourself for every little thing you have done or plan to do. Once you discover the value in appreciating yourself, you will see how life changes in the craziest ways and crazy goooood things start to happen for you…
What steps can you take today to move your life forward?
What things from your past and present can you appreciate for allowing you to be the person you are today?
Comment on the blog below! XOXO