Are you waiting to live?

We finally got back to the Great Smoky Mountains for a week of relaxation and hiking. Picking out a hike was overwhelming as there were 150 hikes to pick from and we were only in the mountains for 6 days. Every night we studied the maps and picked out a hike for the next day. My favorite hikes are to waterfalls or a special destination.

One hike was to Alum Cave where the first Epsom Salts were made. It seemed the start of our hikes were always adventurous and exciting. (Will we see a bear? We saw 4 bears but thankfully not on our hiking trail.) And, when we reached the waterfall it was a triumphant ending. Yes, we did it! I love getting close enough to the waterfall so I can feel the mist on my face as I take pictures to capture the memory for later. (This drives Gary nuts.) But most of the hike was in the middle. Right foot. Left foot. Right foot. As I was hiking I kept on thinking how life is in the middle. Life is a journey not a destination. We experience a few exciting beginnings like marriage, the birth of our kids. But, for the most part, life is in the middle.

On our life journey we meet people that will cheer us up or bring us down. The sad part is that most people I know are missing out on the journey of life. They are not enjoying the present. They are waiting. Waiting to lose 10 pounds, gain 10 pounds, go back to school, have the kids leave the house, clean the house, organize the garage, waiting to retire..waiting..waiting..waiting. What are you waiting for? “Things” will never be perfect. As long as you wait, nothing happens.

It is so easy to enjoy life in the middle with these three steps.

1. Decide what you want. Ask yourself: What do you really, really want?

2. Choose it.

3. Take actions to get it.

When I ask people what would make them happy, the number one answer is winning the lottery. Seriously! Don’t wait to win the lottery. Stop waiting and start living. There are always going to be amazing beginnings and triumphant endings. But, remember, most of life is in the middle! Here to add value to your life today. Just ask!

Love,