By Dana Houser

I was standing at the magazine rack of my local B&N bookstore the other day when I came across the best magazine on the “Life of Luxury” there is, the Robb Report. As I thumbed through the pages looking at million dollar homes, fancy sports cars, incredible jewelry, private jets and mind-boggling boats, I had to ask myself, “what do these people do?”

As you get up each morning, get dressed and head out the door to your ‘dream job’ I’m sure you believe everyone is just like you. That ‘dream job’ remark was extremely sarcastic by the way, because most people hate what they ‘have to do’ everyday. Then why do they do it?

When I asked myself that question, I was reminded of a boating story that happened years ago. It was Wally’s first time on water skis. He jumped in the water, slipped the skis on his feet, and was briefed on how to get up on top of the water. Everyone thought everything was covered, and it was, we thought. That is until Wally crashed, and didn’t let go of the rope. Never assume anything, maybe he thought we’d pull him back around to his skis and he would start on the go. But as we started to slow down, we kept yelling at him to “let go of the rope”. I mean he was getting drug on the water, bouncing off the wake and taking in more than Moby Dick. Wally couldn’t hear us and unfortunately nearly every time we yelled to “let go of the rope,” he got another mouthful or bounced off another wave.

That’s a pretty funny story and thankfully no one was hurt, at least nothing serious. But how many of us go through life ‘hanging onto the rope?’ A rope we don’t really like holding and don’t like where it’s taking us, but we won’t let go. If Wally had let go of the rope, he would of just laid there floating until we circled the boat around for round two. But he held on, got the daylights beat out of him by the water and didn’t need a drink for three weeks(not really). Most of us are doing the same thing, but why? What is it that you really want out of life? What is your purpose.

We all have this little thing called a conscience. This example has nothing to do with good or bad, but rather are you really doing what you want to do? Is your job what you always dreamed of doing? I’d bet money it’s not, but if it is, that’s awesome. I’m glad you found your calling. If you’re like 95% of Americans though, you’re getting up and doing something everyday that you don’t want to do. Going to a place you don’t want to go. You’ve swept your dreams under the bed and accepted the fact that you’ll never have them and bought into the b.s. that those were “unrealistic” anyway.

I’m here to tell you those dreams are real. You’re the only person that can have them because they are your dreams. Sure, circumstances may cause you to stay in a job you don’t want…for awhile. But if you start to work towards your dream in your spare time, you will fulfill them. Those dreams were meant to be yours. Maybe you’re afraid to try something different because you’re “comfortable” with what you’re doing now. Being comfortable is overrated. If you’re honest, you will admit it’s true. You know inside that if you could achieve your dreams without failing you’d start working towards them tomorrow. I challenge you to sit down, NOW, and write down a list of goals and dreams you want. Everything, being realistic doesn’t have a part here.

Wally never water skied again for a long time because when he fell, he held tight onto the rope and let it drag him across the lake. What’s your rope? What are you refusing to let go of so you can move on with your life. Remember, as soon as Wally let go it didn’t hurt anymore and he could breathe with ease. Is it your job? Relationship? Spiritual life? Your past? Whatever it is, it’s not worth holding onto if it won’t allow you to move forward with your life. You can only hold on for so long anyway before it gets really bad. Pretty soon you’ll wear out and run out of breath or you’ll be floating there calmly waiting to get back up and take another shot at it. Live your dreams.

Let go of the rope.

Stay in motion,
Dana Houser http://www.fitrichandfun.com

Article Source:  Let Go of the Rope


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