“Benjamin Franklin shared with the world the secret of his success. “Never leave that till tomorrow, he said, which you can do today.” This is the man who discovered electricity and was considered a Founding Father of the United States amongst his many accolades.  You’d think more people would listen to what he had to say. I don’t know why we put things off. I don’t know why I put things off. If I had to guess, I’d have to say it has a lot to do with fear. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, sometimes the fear is just in making a decision, because what if you’re wrong? What if I’m wrong? What if we’re making a mistake that can’t be undone?

“We’ve all heard the proverbs, heard the philosophers, heard our grandparents warning us about wasted time, heard the damn poets urging us to seize the day.

Still, sometimes, we have to see for ourselves. We have to make our own mistakes. We have to learn our own lessons. We have to sweep today’s possibility under tomorrow’s rug, until we can’t anymore, until we finally understand for ourselves (…). That knowing, is better than wondering. That waking, is better than sleeping. And that even the biggest failure, even the worst, most intractable mistake, beats the hell out of never trying.” Meredith Grey from Grey’s Anatomy.

You see, we will always wonder and ask ourselves what if.  The question then remains, will we take these questions, these what if’s, these fears with us to our graves?  Will we or will I let what I may be afraid of stop me from experiencing that which I do not yet know enough about or understand?

Life is strange that way.  We go along every day doing what we know best, hoping to make a mark in history, hoping that what we do is of some value and that it can make a difference.  I know I do.  And then I’m presented with a challenge.  Something unexpected, a curve ball comes my way.  What do I do.  How do I manage this one?  What if I swing and miss?  What if I swing and hit it out of the ball park?  What if the ball hits me square in the head?

That’s the conversation that rambles through my head at the speed of light.  … Who gives a rats ass?  The better question is how can I live knowing that I did not swing that bat, take that chance, take that leap of faith into the great unknown.

Years ago I came across an anonymous quote that reads: “When we come to the edge of all of the light we have and we must take a step into the darkness of the unknown we must believe one of two things. Either, we will find something firm to stand on or we will be taught to fly.”

The Phoenix, after burning and being reduced to ashes will rise again. And, in this new life, is stronger than before, able to fly higher and go further. Live and fight as hard as we have ever fought in life. Know that we will find something firm to stand or will be taught to fly. – Anonymous.

Have faith.  Trust that you/I/we are guided and watched over at all times.  Live the life we were meant to live.  And even if we don’t know with certainty what that is, live anyway.  Do… Be… How do you see your eulogy at your own funeral?  What will your closest friends and family say about you?  This was one of the exercises Stephen Covey spoke of in his book the 7 Habits.

Some believe we will live multiple lives while others believe this is the only life we live. Regardless, why aren’t we doing everything we can in this life? This is here and now and what matter most.

Remember, happiness is a result. It is the product of creating a life full of meaning and purpose for ourselves.