|
Today's
Meditation:
There are certain advantages of growing up in
dysfunctional families. One of the things I learned
very early, for example, was that if I wanted or needed
something done, I had to do it myself because I couldn't
depend on anyone else to do it. Sometimes that even
included things like writing my own excuses for absences
from school, buying my own school clothes, and other
things that generally aren't left to a very young person
to do on his or her own.
I don't resent these lessons, for they've given me a habit
that has been very beneficial to me-- the habit of simply
doing something when it needs to be done rather than
waiting around for someone else to do it or for conditions
to be just perfect. I get things done (though
sometimes a little later than I'd like due to
procrastination), and then I move on to the next
thing. I prefer to actively participate in life
rather than being a passive bystander, because those
passive bystanders tend not to accomplish much at all that
they can point to with pride. Of course, they don't
make as many mistakes as I do, either, but mistakes are
just a normal part of taking action when we feel we need
to.
If you want to start school, you have to register.
If you want to start your own business, an action plan is
a must. If you want to heal a relationship, someone
has to start the conversation or make the apology or seek
to make amends. If you want to change jobs, you have
to start the search for something new. If someone
needs help, someone else has to step forward and offer
it. Action gets things done; inaction simply puts
things off, and often they're left off forever.
Some people have others in their lives who do their
acting for them, and these people are unfortunate, for
they never learn to act for themselves. Most of us
need to take action when we want things, and there really
is no substitute for action when action is called
for. We must be brave-- while still being
discerning-- and take the actions that we must take.
|
