Your Story

Photo by Denys Nevozhai on Unplash

" We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive."

C. S. Lewis

You have a story. We all have a story. A story shaped by the years we have lived, by the places we’ve been, the things we’ve seen, the people we met, the books we’ve read, and the decisions and choices we made. It is this story that makes us who we are today, that has molded us to the very core of our existence. But the story is not completed. It's still being written. Day by day, moment by moment. And it will not be completed when you take your last breath, because your story affects others. Who you are has an impact on human life for generations to come.

Think about your story for a moment. Go back in time to our childhood, your parents, the places you’ve called home. Think of the friends you made, your school years, where you are working now, your family. Think of your dreams and aspirations. Think of your frustrations, disappointments, and feelings of loss. All these experiences have shaped you into the person you are today.

The question that remains to be asked is whether you believe your story is going in the direction you want.

We were created for a great life and yearn for it every moment of our existence. The good news is that we can have this great life and the most powerful tool we have in achieving it is our freedom of choice.

This morning I read the story of a man who was diagnosed with colitis, a chronic, inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. Symptoms vary, but for this man they included intense abdominal pain and 30-40 trips to the bathroom daily. Now think for a moment how much your life would be affected by a condition like this? For eight years this man endured the life altering discomfort from this disease always in search for the best treatment and cure. He tried multiple therapies, surgery, and was placed on multiple medications because one medication causes a symptom that requires another medication which causes another symptom and so forth.

After eight years this man had had enough and decided it was time to do a complete lifestyle change. He did, and slowly his symptoms began to subside until he was able to get off his medications because he didn’t need them anymore.

Ultra marathon athlete Rich Roll has a similar story. One day, already in his 40s, he decided he had had enough of being an overweight couch potato and decided to change the direction of his life. Eventually he came to be considered one of the fittest men in the world and now in his 50s, he lives a healthy and rich life.

We can make our lives head in a new direction if we’re not satisfied where we are.

Author C.S. Lewis once said: “ We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” (1)

January is almost over, and many of our new year resolutions have been put to rest. I want to encourage you to unbury those resolutions and use your freedom of choice to chose a great life for you, starting today. I’ll go on this journey with you.

(1) Lewis, C. S. (2009) The Weight of Glory


Note: This website is going through some big changes that I can’t wait to share with you! It will give you the tools you need to chose and live an abundant life. If you enjoy these posts, please share them with your friends.