Is This As Good As It Gets?
Not life, but good life, is to be chiefly valued. - Socrates
Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook.
When we were young the world seemed conquerable. Our dreams were big and there appeared to be no limit to who we could become or where we could go. However something happened along the way and life become more difficult than expected. Soon after, our hope started to trickle away.
It was a slow drip at first and hardly noticeable. But over time, our lost hope could fill a bucket. It is startling to see how each setback and missed opportunity added to its volume. Now holding the bucket with both hands to make sure it doesn’t topple over, our souls feel drained and we ask, “Is this as good as it gets?”
The answer: It depends on you.
Along with the disappointments we experience, we are also given an equal number of opportunities to neutralize our leaking hope. However, too often we allow the size of the disappointment to grow larger than it really is. When this happens, it is tempting to throw up our hands and give up.
We give-in to the temptation to quit and allow the feeling of hope to flow out completely. We settle for what we have and stop trying to get what we want. But we do have the choice to have the life we once considered. We do have the choice to answer the question, “Is this as good as it gets?” with the answer, “No, I want more.”
It’s time for you
Dust off your dreams.
Let today be the start of something amazing. Begin looking at your dreams with the same wonder and confidence you had years ago.
Listen to your heart. It’s saying you do have what it takes to get what you want; even if you have been a little too scared to try.
Break free.
Believe you are worth more than you feel. You do have the capacity to realize your life’s dream. Find freedom from uncertainty by taking action right now. Begin by doing one thing to start moving in the direction of your heart’s desire and away from the is this as good as it gets? feeling.
Tell a friend, bare your soul in prayer or shout to the world you are reclaiming a part of you that has been neglected long enough.
Exchange loss for renewal. Trade doubt for faith and permit love to flow back inside.
Let your new spirit rain down. Allow the rainstorm to continue through the night. And in the morning, feel renewed by its healing power to dream again.
When you ask, “Is this as good as it gets?” the answer depends on you.
It’s time for me
Years ago I had my dreams, too. I once dreamed of being a doctor. I wanted to heal people. When it became clear medical school was not in my future, my dream shifted to becoming a writer; a novelist and at least I would be able to touch people though my words, I thought.
However, a less-than-inspiring professor in college shattered this dream when he suggested a different career path would be the more appropriate choice. Regretfully, I listened.
Somewhere between 1982 and 2010 life got in the way. Marriage to a wonderful wife while raising four fantastic children has made the past three decades go in a flash. Unlike my choice in college, I have not regretted one moment of this life. But down inside, I know there is still plenty of life left in front of me and this is not as good as it gets – there is more.
It’s time to put down my bucket and begin drinking from it again. It has served as a reservoir for the last thirty years, but I don’t need it to hold my dreams any longer. It’s time to allow my dreams to flow back inside and fill me up with their limitless potential.
I want more. I want more contentment and peace. I want to help people while receiving some overdue self-care along the way. I want to see my spirit return with the once-realized power to go after my dreams.
“Is this as good as it gets?” Happily, the answer depends on me.
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11 Responses to “Is This As Good As It Gets?”
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Perfect timing. I’ve been asking myself that for a long time, especially over the past couple of months. And yes, only we hold the answer, thanks for the reminder.
Alex:
You truly have a gift for writing, although your dream to become a doctor could not be achieved.
It is a shame that some people in positions of authority try to dampen your spirit and don’t really believe in the power of your dreams.
And yet we look up to such people in society, and sometimes they even make front-page news.
It is only later we realize that “all that glitters is not gold” as the skeletons in their cupboards come tumbling out. And such people–who abuse their power–are exposed before the media.
It would be nice if we lived in a world where we could actually learn to trust each other, so people like you could be encouraged to pursue your one and only true calling from an early age.
I am sure many of today’s youngsters are also falling prey to cynical adults–maybe even with good intentions–but misguided information.
We need to build a support system where we teach our young people to believe in their dreams and that it is okay to pursue what you believe to be true.
Not everybody wants to be a doctor, lawyer, engineer, chartered accountant or even MBA.
We also need youngsters to believe in their creative gifts. After all, our world would be a sad place without a John Lennon or Frank Sinatra.
@ Lori: I believe in you and your ability to find the answer that is right for you.
@ Archan: All very thoughtful points. You are right, we need people with different types of talents and passions. My wife and I try to teach our children to be whomever they are being called to be and with no expectations that they be anything else.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom and insights.
Alex,
Thank you for the encouragement to dust off our dreams. How exciting to know that where we are at isn’t as good as it gets; if we dust off our dreams and pursue them,there is more too our life!
Thank you for the reminder!
This is inspiring stuff, Alex. I can almost feel your excitement and motivation through your words. I know the feeling you’re describing. It resonates with something inside of me. This is my first visit, but I’m definitely coming back for more of this. Thanks for the inspiring words, Alex!
@ Dornella: You are welcome. Thanks for reading!
@ Bart: It is an empowering feeling; isn’t it? Glad you found The BridgeMaker, too.
Very inspiring!
Yet, understanding that everything depends on you can be overwhelming! Even though you understand that you are in control, you don’t know where to start.
But it is a great thing and there are plenty of teachers who are more than willing to help those lose along the way to making their lives something outstanding.
It is a constant reminder that my life is what I make it and I am glad that there are people that realize that. It creates a sort of support group from those who want more from life. Blogosphere helps connect people like that. Even thought we all are strangers, we still are friends at the very same time helping each other and motivating each to keep going and not give up.
Thanks for the post, Alex!
Keep exploring life!
Best,
Tomas
@ Tomas: All good points. It is important to know when to ask for help and from whom. Reaching out to others is a good way to get the process started.
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@Alex, great reminder that it is all about embracing the dreams that can come alive when we are Living Loved and Loving Life. It is the shame we internalize from heart-wounds that keep us from resonating with our truest dreams. Convincingly, it whispers that “It will be a nightmare.” At other times, it suggests we should borrow someone else’s dream or temps us with a hubristic illusion. Healing the shame has been so key to healthy dreaming for me.
Great to be on the journey with you.
@ Paul: I feel my nightmares are almost over thanks to you; the Grace you remind me that exists; and for quick-starting me on my journey.