Time to Get Real, For Your Sake

I received this advertisement in the mailbox over the summer for LIFETIME Fitness. Yea, I know it's a "play on words" because the tag-line is saying you can do it all at their facility, Lifetime. I get it. Cute. But, I focused, not on the clever pun, but on the words I read: "I Can Do It All In My Lifetime". My mind went racing down the speedway of contradiction. I was thinking about how many of us were sold that ocean-front property in Arizona idealism when we were younger, how we could have it all: no compromises, no boundaries, no limitations. Did you fall for it? I know I did.

But, don't misunderstand me, it's not sour grapes. Actually, I'm the happiest I've ever been in my life, right now, present day. It's because I had to let go of this idealism that a person can "have it all" and "do it all", as long as you're willing to work at it. Here's the reality: I can shoot hoops on a basketball court 24/7 and, no matter what I do or how hard I work or how dedicated I am or how much I want it, I will never, ever be of the caliber of LeBron James (sorry, touchy subject for the locals). It's not my gift, it's not the talent God has given me. It's taken me 40 years to figure out what talents and gifts I  have to share with this world. It's in that realization where I can dedicate my time, grow, be better, and "do it all" in the area where I belong. Dreams are important but if you can't let go of the notion that you really can't be anything you want to be, then you may be just spinning your wheels, missing opportunities to "have it all" in the area where you were born to thrive, to make a difference, to be the best you deserve of yourself to be. Sometimes to see dreams fulfilled you have to let go of some others.

Do yourself a favor and take a good, hard reality check of what your dreams encompass. Yes, you'll sacrifice and compromise and work hard to make those dreams a reality. Just make sure it's the dream that was meant for you and isn't just that, a dream. You're always most comfortable in your own skin. The fulfillment your true calling will bring to you will be immeasurable.