There I was once again feeling like I was living in chaos. My bills were paid, finances were good, but everything else felt completely out of my control. It was like I was standing in the middle of a tornado as debri flew through the air, and there was no where for me to find shelter. I prayed and pleaded, but I just assumed He couldn’t hear me due to the roar of the storm. I just needed things to slow down so I could catch my breath, but it continued and thus anxiety attacks were not far behind. Chaos, sometimes we can’t avoid it, and other times we create.

Unfortunately chaos is familiar territory for me, but this time I finally began to see the problem. I was once again allowing others to hand me a plan for my life. I was allowing “opportunities” or others to be my compass. And then when the winds quieted for just a moment I heard a voice say, “You can choose your own path and destination.” What about you? Who has laid out the plan for your life? Where is the finish line? What are your goals?

Where do you want to be in 1,2, 3, or 5 years? Not where does your boss, parents, friends, or anyone else want you to be, but what do you want your life to look like in a few years? You need a goal, a finish line, or destination. You and I must establish a plan that we want for our life or others will gladly do it for us. And then one day we wake up living someone else’s life. And let me be clear based on my mistakes, if you don’t define the win, establish a finish line, or set some goals then in 5 years your life will look no different than it does today.

In the last year I’ve felt like I was in the movie Groundhog Day, and it was because I have honestly been going where opportunity took me. My kids are grown, I can do my insurance business from anywhere in the world, and so I was (honestly) just winging it. Listen to your Uncle Tony, just because a door opens doesn’t mean you have to walk through it. And just because a door closes doesn’t mean it won’t open in the future. Pray or meditate over your decisions with a goal in mind.

When opportunities present themselves to us the first question needs to be, “Will this take me to the finish line…will this help me get the life I want?” If you haven’t established where you want to be…you’ll just accept every opportunity that comes along. If it’s a promotion that doesn’t mean you have to accept it. If it’s more money that doesn’t mean you have to accept it. Again, ask yourself, “Will this opportunity move me closer toward the finish line…will this give me the life my heart desires?” And let me give you one last piece of advice since you have made it this far!

Be very careful with how long you put off living your dreams. I realize that you may not have the finances to take that dream trip, buy the home on the lake, or purchase the sprinter van and hit the road, but if you do…consider not putting it off another day. I have met too many people who had the ability to live the dream, but put it off too long. They wanted to work just a few more years, save a few more dollars, or wait on the market to change course. Yes, have a plan for your future, but enjoy the journey while you stay the course. Love those who love you. Forgive those who have hurt you. Live where you want to live. And let God be your compass, and let His peace point you in the correct direction.

Love ya,

Tony