Just Do It

Posted by Andrew_Cox

Do you ever experience a moment where you feel as though nothing seems to be working out in your life and you don’t know what to do to make it better?  What if that feeling were to last for weeks, months, or even years?  How can there be people who have never felt satisfied for a majority of their life?  If that’s the case, what has compelled these people to continue down their current path?  Maybe fear of the unknown?  They cannot conceive of anything other than the status quo?  Although they might be miserable in their current situation, at least they can find a small measure of comfort in the familiar and routine.  Right?  This question has come up before many times, applied to many situations.  Why does a person remain in an abusive relationship?  Why do people stay at a job they hate for thirty years?  Why do some people continue to abuse drugs and alcohol at the expense of everything else in their lives until they have nothing and no one left who cares about them?  How does someone get out of seemingly hopeless situations?  Can a reinvention take place in a fraction of a second?  For instance, does the decision to change constitute the beginning of rebirth?  Or does it require more pain and struggle?  Can you only begin to improve yourself once you have hit rock bottom?  Where is rock bottom?  Who measures that?  Or can a conscious decision to change for the better signal the beginning of a new life?  Can the commitment to live each day as if it were your last satisfy the requirements of a successful transformation?  Are all transformations even positive?  How do you maintain momentum?  I believe the solution depends on the person and the circumstances.  For some, they have to destroy their old self before a new person can emerge.  Others might make a much more smooth transition.

U.S. culture has taught society that success is a linear path. Go to school, pay attention, do well, go to a good college, and afterwards, your life will fall into place perfectly.  Once we’ve done that, why should we experience lows when we only deserve the highs?  We are all special.  Everyone has heard and believed the same message regardless of their ability or circumstances.  This mindset has lead to a preposterous belief that we can live uncomplicated, easy lives.  People always seem so surprised when they discover a homeless person and a movie star both feel pain.  Both can have substance abuse problems, problems in their relationships, their careers, or their general mental perspective.

These ideas and questions are important to me but not as important as their answers.  We are all capable of choosing our own path.  Don’t let a misplaced sense of duty, or outright fear keep you from doing what you want to do.  Wouldn’t you rather have the hardship and struggle associated with fighting for what you want rather than struggle for others who don’t appreciate your efforts?  Given the current economic melt down and general uncertainty about the future, most experts are advising people to keep their heads down and ride out this uncertain economic wave before they rock the boat.  I argue that conditions will never be perfect for any decision you wish to make.  Yes, this isn’t the best time to approach your boss and say goodbye, but recognize that nothing lasts forever.  As my father always used to say, anyone can do anything for a year.  Do not hold out for better days or settle for less than you want.  Bold action knows no limits, and men and women of ability won’t compromise their ideals for the whims of others.  Maybe this only works in theory or sounds good on paper but the perfect time to get married, go back to school, or take a vacation will never come.

How do you escape the cycle of unhappiness?  The answer will be different for everyone.  Breaking away from the conformity of the masses serves as a solution to some.  Wouldn’t religion, spirituality or drug use serve as a change for some?  Religion has helped a lot of people for a long time, as many as its hurt probably.  A segment of the U.S. attempted to use drugs as a path to better themselves in the 1960’s.  They tried free love as well.  Both didn’t last.  I want to act.  I won’t passively watch life happen.  I want the courage to do what must be done.  I want to be unrelenting.  I want to become the abstract idea I envision.  I know many others do too.  But how do you start?  Do something, and keep doing until you are on your path and you don’t know anything else.