We live in a time where fear, uncertainty, or doubt can dominate
our surroundings. This atmosphere seems to breed these and other emotions that
keep us from feeling anchored in life. If unsure economic times weren’t enough,
how about regular life challenges? The death of a loved one, birth of your
child, marriage, and divorce. Life is too exciting to remain stuck. Stuck is anything that keeps you
from moving forward. It keeps you from seeing what’s next. True progress cannot take place until one acknowledges when,
where, or why they became stuck. Only once we have taken an honest look at
ourselves can we can move ahead with our self-discovery and set a direction.
You can choose to give in to
every emotion and let it control you or you can “grab the reins” and use these
moments to contribute to your personal growth in a positive way. Yes, that’s
easier said than done, but that is what will create forward motion.
Where does one turn in times
like these? Do I just believe more in
myself? Do I purchase and read every book in the world on the topic of personal
growth or pay the perfect professional? While these choices can and do bring an
element of security and confidence in your next steps for each day, I truly
believe that a simple and balanced approach to life is the key to long-lasting
and decisive decisions that enable you to become who you are meant to be.
A good friend of mine lives
by the word “Thrive” and passes on this philosophy of living to others every
chance she gets. Thriving assumes that one is in the position to grow, move
ahead, get ahead, and prosper. I believe that Thriving in life can be the goal
to one day achieve as a lifestyle. Yet, in order to get there, you must often
get yourself out of the rut you find yourself in with each challenging season
of life. That’s where the need for NEXT comes into focus.
I’ll never forget my senior year in High School
when, during one of my varsity baseball games, I was pitching to a young man
named MASH. That’s right. His last name was MASH in all capitals on the back of
his jersey. His physical appearance made him look like he was on the “six-year
plan” for high school. I threw my best curve ball—and that’s when it happened.
I had never heard such a beautiful sound of a baseball coming in contact with a
baseball bat. It was one of those sounds where you knew that the ball was not
only hit as hard as a human could possibly hit it, but where I actually thought
I heard the ball itself scream “Ouch!” I could have been angry or upset, but I
had to just laugh. As MASH rounded first base, our eyes met. I gestured to him
with six fingers (suggesting that he was on the six-year plan) to which he
gestured back to me with only one finger. I’ll let you decide which finger he
used. I could have “responded” right then in another manner and “cleared the
dugouts.” (Our team was known for the occasional scuffle with other teams) But
I chose to just laugh. I made a choice right then to respond with the positive.
Fortunately, by my senior year, I had begun
establishing a positive response outlook on life. This baseball moment was one
of thousands of choices that I faced daily. Little did I know how important
this conscious and positive direction of the choices I made would become. Early
in my senior year of high school, I was blindsided with the news that my father
had been diagnosed with cancer. Here was yet another opportunity for me to
choose to respond positively and grow or give in to the daily challenges of
life.
Life threw me seasonal
curveballs and I chose to respond with what I now call “The Power of Next.” My
life has followed this thread of understanding in my marriage, my work, and in
every relationship I’ve had in each area of my life. Each day continues to
bring with it the opportunity to grow in the Power of Next.
The Power of Next focuses on
the never-ending challenge of bringing balance to an individual’s life
intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially. Key principles behind
this balance are the “Element of Discovery” and the “Element of Direction”. It is
in Discovery that we find the Power we need to thrive in life, and it is in
Direction that we continue to discover the vital necessity of Next, thinking
forward and always living with purpose. Find your NEXT and begin living with
forward momentum with a positive purpose.
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