Our Destination

In the first article of this series, you decided that you were the Pilot of your life...in charge...in command. Good for you. That is a successful “first step”. Then, upon reflection, you realized that there are plenty of others who have had, are having, or will have a say in what you do with your life. When you were young, parents or guardians pretty much controlled things as simple as when you went to bed and when you arose for the day. Later, in high school or college, teachers controlled your day. If you were ever in the military, then you know that your time is well regimented. Are you employed? Married? Need I say more?

First, you must realize that when we say that you should pick a destination or realize that you are in charge of your life, we are not suggesting for a moment that you get to quit what you are doing now, or that you are allowed or encouraged to simply do as you please, when you please. That might be a literal description of being in charge of your life, but that is not what we are writing about. We meant that you get to decide where you are going, what you will become, and on what schedule you will achieve those things. Admittedly, this is easier before we have accumulated the emblems of life – car, house, spouse, children, job, etc. But, it can even be done with these things. You merely have to realize that if you are coming late to the realization that you are in charge of your life, then you may have some extreme decisions to make. Or, you may have to hold on to your dream while you accept and live with the situation created up to this point. However, it's equally important to realize that while others (parents, supervisors, commanding officers, spouses, children) may control periods or phases of your life, there is still little to stop you from heading off in the direction of your major goal or purpose in life, other than yourself. You may merely have to change one thing – your brain – to change your life. You may have been warned to watch what you think when you were younger. The popular quote goes like this:

“Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.” - Unknown

Although the author is unknown, the words are potent, and they will work for you, if employed in the proper manner, just as they must certainly work against you, if employed incorrectly. So, no matter what your current situation is, you can certainly think about what you would like to become. Those thoughts will become words. The words will begin to take action, which will become habitual. Eventually, all of this becomes your destiny, and you must surely become what you think about.

You may ask, however, “What if I die before I reach my destiny?” That's possible....unfortunate, but possible. But, which you rather have as the epitaph for your life? That you never had a goal that drove and motivated you, or that you simply never had enough time to achieve or realize your goal? I don't know about you, but I hope it's the latter. We are successful the very moment we stop turning in circles and set off in the direction of a worthy goal. That's why this article is the second in our series and deserves some time for pause and serious reflection. The person who can grasp that success is not in the achieving, but in the journey, will be a changed person. Once you have decided to be the pilot of your own life, and once you have chosen a destination, you will be a changed person. Some may not recognize you. And, you may not recognize yourself. Your attitude, your walk, your smile...everything about you will change when you have set course on your destination. And, because you recognize that there is no assurance that tomorrow will ever come for you, then why don't you get started on your personal destination today?  Right now?  This very moment?  After all, you and I have soberly recognized that you just might not reach your final destination at all, or with those you love the most. To my way of thinking, it's important to get started this very instant.

Say these positive words to yourself right now, and daily from here on. “I am the pilot in command of my life. I am in charge of my destination, and my destination is _______________”.

Here you must fill in the blank, because no one in your life can or should fill this blank in for you...except YOU. The "blank" will be the subject of another article soon.  It's your goal. And, if you don't feel that you have a goal just yet, then we'll be working on helping you with that. For now, just remember, that once you have made the decision to be fully in control of your life, and once you have settled on your destination, you must...you will achieve it. You will be immediately changed, and you will be a success.