I want to travel many places, I want to have a big house, I want to be rich, I want to be in a relationship, I want to, I want to, I want to!
Many are the times that we come across these kinds of thoughts in our daily lives. We wish we could be healthier, or we want to be less negative, or maybe we just want to be a little bit more organized with our time. All these are noble desires, but have we ever asked why is it that most of the things that we want, just stay as a desire? Why can’t we take those words and convert them into actions? This morning as I was meal prepping for the week, I listened to one of Jim Rohn’s videos on YouTube ( I recommend you look him up and start listening to his teachings if you don’t know who he was ) he went on to explain that one of the reasons why people can’t achieve what they want is because they don’t have a strong enough why. He shared with the audience that wanting the thing is good, but without a why it will always stay a desire instead of a possession. When a father wakes up every day to go to work, is not his desire to go to work that wakes him up… is his love for his spouse and children that gets him out of bed even when he wants to sleep in. When an athlete does that extra rep is not so much the desire to do it, but the fact that the extra rep will make him stronger to win the championship. What is your why? I know you want a great physique, but why though? The answer to this question pretty much will dictate whether you accomplish your goal or you don’t accomplish it. In Jim’s words “When your why is strong the how is easy”. When I look back into my life, the times I got to accomplish what I wanted is because my why was very strong… no matter what obstacle came up, my why would remind me that the sacrifice was worth it. For example, I remember wanting to be one of the best players in my team. (That’s what I wanted) The reasons why I wanted it, were because I felt that as a team we deserved to be known in my country, and if I got better that would help us reach that goal. I wanted to become one of the best players because to have a chance at getting a scholarship in the States, at least I needed to be one of the best if not the best one in my team. I wanted to become one of the best players because every time I looked at myself, I couldn’t stand the thought of letting myself down. These were my whys, and at some point, I stopped thinking about becoming the best and instead I reminded myself of why I was working so hard, and that was enough to get me moving. If I’m honest with you it wasn’t hard at all. Being disciplined wasn’t hard, saying yes to a good night sleep instead of a party was easy, and eating the right foods was enjoyable. May I suggest to you that if getting what you want seems hard, it’s because you don’t have the right reasons to do it? If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know that I ended up getting a scholarship to play basketball in the States. I also won best athlete of the year at my school, and my team went on to become one of the best teams in the country, getting invitations to elite tournaments, and winning a couple of them. Having a strong enough why is like a magnet that pulls you closer to whatever it is that you want. The bigger the why, the easier it is to be pulled towards it.
Asking why we want something also serves as a tool to reflect on the things we are pursuing. Are you following that career path because it is what you want, or it’s what other people said you should do. Are you trying to get rich because that’s what every influencer says you should do? Do you want a better car because “you are only worthy if you drive a newer car”? this right here my friend is called the Rat Race. We spend our lives chasing after things that hold value because other said so, and the worst part is that we don’t get a do over. You can’t go to the store and buy more life, nor can you take a beverage that will make you live longer. What you do today is all you get… this day, this minute, this second. Make sure you spend every bit of the miracle of life pursuing what is truly meaningful.
My invitation is for us to press pause for a second, sit back and think about the things we are going after. If what I am chasing is worthwhile, why am I not getting closer to it, why am I not being able to follow the steps to get there? It may be that you need a better why my friend! Also, what you are chasing might be draining you… so ask yourself, is what I am pursuing valuable to me or is it valuable to others. From this question you might get a clearer vision on what deserves your time and attention and what doesn’t.
Remember that living a meaningful life is not based on the big chances we take, but the small decisions we make. One day I realized that life is meant to be lived to the fullest, that there is way more to it than what the world sold me. I heard there was a man who offered me the freedom that the world can’t, so I made the decision to see what he is about. This man changed my life and keeps showing me a love that I don’t even deserve. His name is Jesus, and I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t because of him. If you are tired of living empty… you need to let Jesus in your life! he will guide you to the purpose of your life. Remember! he is not a church, he is not a religion, and he certainly is more than a figure hanging on a cross. He wants a relationship with you, and he is closer than you can ever imagine. Call him! he will answer the phone, and be ready! because after you allow him to know you, your life will be revolutionized.