First of all, know that character, values, and integrity matter. They are the foundation of who you are and the reputation you will have with others. Our beliefs and intentions often make their way to our words and actions, so strive to do what’s right, treat others with respect, take accountability for your choices, and know that, in the long term, those who bring kindness and a positive attitude into the world will succeed far more than those who don’t. They will also find themselves surrounded by many others, because a good heart and kindness are forces that will attract others to you over time.
Have faith, no matter what life brings. There will be times when life is challenging and it’s important to know that we are never alone, that God (in all His forms) has a plan, and we will find our way through, as long as we take one day at a time and keeping moving forward. There is a great quote from Winston Churchill, “When you’re going through Hell, keep going”, that I always remember in this regard. Faith is our greatest source of hope… and with hope, anything can be possible. With faith and hope, your possibilities in life will be limited only by your capacity to dream.
Work hard. It’s a simple point, but one that isn’t evident to everyone at a time that many seem to feel entitled. Earning your success is both an exercise in diligence and commitment as well as persistence and leadership. Oftentimes that effort is not glamorous, requires sacrifice, and will drag you through difficulty, but in struggling and overcoming those obstacles, we find out who we are and the strength we have inside us. No one can give that confidence and experience to you, you simply have to earn it, and it is well worth the effort over time.
Never stop learning. There is always something to understand about other people, new ideas or subjects, and the world around us. Always be looking for the people who can guide and advise you in the different aspects of your life. You will never reach a point where there isn’t an opportunity to grow as a person, and it will make you so much more aware, fulfilled, and worth knowing as time goes on.
Believe in yourself and speak your truth. In the great debate that life can be at times, you should know that your voice matters. At a time when so many take a free pass and just parrot the words, ideology, or biases of others, you do yourself and the world a service to educate yourself, form your own opinion, and respectfully speak your truth, including the times you speak for those who are afraid to do so on their own. Diversity in thought and opinion gives us strength and creates room for change. Let your voice be heard. You can make a difference.
Be humble and be kind. In concert with the previous point, strive to listen as well as you speak. Seek compassion and understanding, including those who differ most from you. They have their own form of truth, and it can be worth learning what that is, whether you agree with it or not. In a world consumed with egocentric thinking, what we do for others brings the world a little closer, creates the connections that bind us together, and reduces the divisiveness that so many waste their days promoting.
Never give up on your dreams but be ready to pursue new ones when you see them. Life can be like a series of bridges, taking you from one part of your journey to the next, and we often can’t see past the bridge that is immediately in front of us. While it takes tenacity and courage to pursue your life’s passion, understand that your goals will evolve as time progresses, and that’s not a bad thing.
Build upon your successes, learn from your failures. Remember that it’s relatively easy to succeed when you’re not doing anything worth doing or that’s not particularly difficult. Again, this is a relatively simple point, but it’s easy to lose the perspective that failures are a means to learn and become better, and they are definitely something that come with taking risks in life. There is no benefit to beating yourself up endlessly over your mistakes. Be thankful for the opportunity to learn and move forward, or likely life will give you the opportunity to learn that lesson again down the road.
Understand that true leaders emerge in adversity. Aspire to be the light that can lead others out of darkness to a better place, whether that is in your personal or professional life. It is easy to lead when everything is going well. It is when things go wrong that poor leaders assign blame and make excuses, and strong leaders take the reins, solve problems, and seek to inspire. It’s a choice that takes courage, but it’s worth remembering that it is also where character is built, reputations are made, and results are either accomplished or not.
Accept that life is rarely what we expect it to be. It’s the journey, along with its peaks and valleys, that makes it so worthwhile. Where possible, the best you can do for yourself and for others is to know when to set aside distractions, be present, and engage in the moments you have throughout your day. Make the most of the experience and don’t be a passenger in your own life.
Finally, take the time to express your care for those who matter to you. Life is unpredictable and you will never run out of love to give to others who are truly deserving of it. We spend far too much time waiting for “the right moment” when that time could be right now. Express your gratitude, express your love, express your support… both you and whomever is the recipient of those things will be better for it, and you will have an endless supply of those gifts available to give tomorrow as well, so no need to hold them in reserve.
I hope the words were helpful… all the best in the steps you take, in the choices you make, in finding happiness, and living the life of your dreams.
-CJG 05/27/2018
Organized Chaos 