First and foremost, I am an idealist. I tend to see things as I wish them to be and rarely settle to accept things as they are. I believe that everything happens for a reason, but we have the power to shape what results from those reasons. A thunderstorm may cause lightning to strike a tree and catch fire, but that doesn’t mean I have to let it burn. I can put out the fire if I actively choose to.
Of course, there are many idealists who believe in a sort of unspoken law that I call “Fate Syndrome”. In other words, they advocate letting things progress “naturally” instead of trying to make things happen for themselves. It’s the idea that fate will grant you your greatest desires if and when fate itself decides you are ready. For example, instead of looking for love, let it happen naturally. Sooner or later, someone will fall into your lap, right? Keep chugging away at your job. You’ll get that promotion in due time.
Please. This is a mindset that you should refuse to accept. By complying with this thinking, you concede that you have little control over your future. Those who are ambitious don’t take things easily and let desired results happen naturally. They are the ones slowly clawing their way to the top. The people who passionately and painfully strive to achieve their utmost desires are the ones in the end chowing down on the fruits of their labor, while the rest sit content believing someday that fortune will grant their fate.
This goes for changing yourself as well. You won’t wake up to your intentions magically becoming real. If you keep doing the same things, you’ll keep getting the same things. It’s the same concept as Newton’s first law of motion:
“An object in motion, stays in motion.”
Active pursuit of your passions not only changes your life at a faster rate, but it allows you to perceive the results without having to wonder, “Am I there yet?”. It’s like a professional runner timing himself every time he rounds the track. He knows he is getting faster when he completes a lap in a shorter span of time than during his previous laps. It’s progress that you can perceive.
When you take things naturally, you’re at the mercy of fate. You don’t know where you are, nor where you’re going. You could be getting closer to your goal, or you could be obviously going in the wrong direction and taking the wrong actions.
Stop waiting for change. Go out there and get it. Life isn’t going to drop that million dollar salary in your lap like you want it to. Ladies, you’re not going to find Prince Charming by sitting on your ass and stating intentions. You’ve got to make your dreams real by honest active pursuit. Actively work towards your goal; it’s only natural that you will be rewarded in the end.
“Remember, people will judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold – but so does a hard-boiled egg. ” – Author Unknown
John Anyasor is the creator of HiLife2B. There he gives advice on personal development, inspiration, and motivation. A second year undergrad, he seeks to one day break the cycle of entering the dreaded 9-5 to achieve the life he wants.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/CJAnyasor
Website: http://hilife2b.com/blog
John, good article. Great reminder. Thank you.