Ernest Roberts believes there’s more to living life than meets the eye. He examines these five unique reasons why.
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I live in an age of narcissistic socialites. That’s right, a steady group of individuals whose love from their parents just wasn’t enough. We cling to our devices, spew every bit of detail for the world to see; post every benchmark that is parallel to the quintessential American Dream. A heartbreaking reality to those who came before us.
It’s hard to keep up with this “Show me” lifestyle, and quite toxic to the natural environment that is humankind. Frivolity, greed, and ignorance all play a part in this new age, making it increasingly difficult for rational souls to steer clear of these petty values.
But not all is lost as society is full of people with a great heart, strong values, and a relentless yearning to keep getting better. They may not have all the answers, or know exactly where they are going, but it’s the thought that will keep them going. It’s the drive that will move them to the life they deserve. And it’s the will to go beyond the call of duty.
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Anyone resembling this character should know that isn’t as complicated as we make, and when boil it down to what really matters, most can resolve that five areas are truly essential for hacking through life.
Be Patient
Patience is the difference between winning and losing in life. Period. Those who exercise patience have the impressive ability to avoid all things unrelated to their goals.
Don’t get me wrong, patience is a bitch, especially when you’ve had it and are ready to give in. But that’s what makes it so special and powerful. When you practice patience, your impulses become a thing of the past. When you practice patience, doors begin to open that you never knew existed. When you practice patience, life will give you a pass because it knows you are unbreakable and willing to wait and grind for what is truly yours.
Practice patience every day, for as long as it takes, until your life becomes what you have always imagined. Avoid the temptations and distractions. Keep going.
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Invest in Meaningful Relationships
In the age of social media, one of the greatest problems that exist is quantity over quality. We live in an era where the “likes” from our pages are more valuable than the content itself. Only a person with an honest outlook on life understands the quantity of that type of “support” does not determine the quality of your work. The same applies to relationships.
It’s easy to get caught up in a lifestyle that not best for you. People may become fans of yours because they choose to live vicariously through you for better or worse. You may not realize how detrimental this is to your life as the pressure continues to mount.
Someone who really values substantive relationships will understand they may not appeal to the vast majority, because they are selective. They know it’s the few who are willing to tell you what you need to hear, rather than what you want to hear and is genuinely supportive of you speaks volumes. Hold on to those people because they are not easy to find and the key to leading you to the best version of yourself.
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Own Your Mistakes
In a perfect world no one would make mistakes, right? Because the perfect person knows exactly what to do the moment it needs to be done. They’re invincible.
Not only is this statement false and merely impossible, it’s the perfect way to set yourself up for failure.
For instance, think about the moment you learned to ride a bike as a child. The first time you jumped on the pedals without training wheels was a bit rough. You fell to the left, took a scar to the right, but each time you got back up and corrected your mistake – as a child!
Chances are someone was there to guide and encourage you to get back up try again. But it was you who adjusted your balance every time you made a mistake, and each time you got a little further. You rode a little faster. You gained a little more confidence in your ability to ride. Such is life.
If you have the ability to adjust yourself as a child to make the right decisions, just imagine what can be done as an adult with years of experience. Learn from your experiences and know that your past does not determine your future.
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Keep Growing
My first boss in Washington, D.C. was quite the stickler, yet righteously so. Although she earned her way in this powerful city, she never lost sense of what it took to get here and what’s required to get to the next level.
Personal growth was a priority. From public speaking clubs, professional development books, and the like, she embodied the mindset that a child holds in the classroom. She was a student of life.
Instead of galvanizing about how bad you have it, redirect your energy on things that will make you better. If you’ve always wanted to play piano, now is the time. How about learn a new language? Tres bien! The key here is to continue doing what you love, diving into something new, and focusing attention on the small details that will inevitably lift you into your greatest asset.
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Have a Vision
From the leaves on a tree to the air that we breathe, know that nothing nor any situation is permanent. Where you are now is not where you have to be one, five or even 10 years from now. See your situation through and your subconscious will take over.
If losing weight is your current goal, then find a routine that works for you but, don’t half-ass it. Get to the gym, and invest the time you have in the workout like no other. That’s 30 minutes, one hour or more that you will never get back, so make it count.
The trick here is in time you will begin to see results. This applies to everything you do in life. When those results appear, you will begin to avoid bad habits for fear of falling back in the rut you were formerly in. Fewer impromptu trips to the bar, indulging in bad decisions, and negative speak will become the mindset of this new person you will soon introduce to the world. Embrace this feeling and keep moving forward.
Still a gluten for disappointment? How about this for thought? There is nothing in this world we can take to our grave. Not our cars, not our home, not even our family – only you. So you have a decision to make. Do you want everyone’s last impression of you to be the cool car you drove, the great house you bought, or the perfect selfie you snapped? No.
When you leave there is no tomorrow, there is no more pain and there are no more problems you will be able to overcome or resolve. You are simply, done.
So for the time being why not make a lasting impression for the world to see? Do something significant. Be something special. Because at the end of the day your life is a story and you are the author. Write something worth reading.
Photo Credit: CheaTeing/Flickr
