Running Out

Running out…of time that is. Yes 2024 is upon us. As they say, “Out with the old, in with the new.” I say we’re running out of time. I can recall a Zen parable that I read years ago that said, “You should take a spoon and go outside every morning. Once there, plunge it into the ground and get a spoon full of dirt.” This symbolizes the digging of ones grave. A reminder that each day, we are inching our way towards returning to the ground.

We’re running out of time. With each breath, we move closer to shedding our bodies. What are we going to do about it? I personally have always made big moves. Most worked out, but some were catastrophic. In some regards, it took me close to a decade to get back on track. So what am I saying? I like to play big. That said, what I am really saying is get out of your comfort zones.

Where is the dead weight? Be careful, because if we’re really honest with ourselves, we might see that we are the culprit. And if you’re smart enough to realize that, you are smart enough to change it. But for many, the dead weight is fear of a life other than mediocrity. That damn comfort zone again. That job that {if you’re lucky} gives you a 2 % cost of living raise a year. Dead weight. That relationship that was over 5 years ago, but it is better than being alone. Dead weight. What are you doing? Run! Run like your life depended upon it. You are literally running out of time.

Let’s look at it from another point of view. If you take a chance, nothing may happen. But if you stay, you know what will happen? Nothing! See what I am getting at? I know most of us are afraid of change. But it’s really the only constant that we can be sure of. It’s coming. And there is not a damn thing we can do about it.

Do yourself a favor. When you get up tomorrow, take your shower and eat your breakfast. Then lace up your tennis shoes and run. What are you running towards? How about the possibility of the life that you always dreamed of. And that is going to require some changes. Some peoples feelings are going to get hurt. The biggest disservice you can do to yourself is staying out of loyalty. Loyalty to a mediocre life.

You can thank me now, or maybe curse me later. Either way, you will feel alive. And you will have done something with your time. Because now it’s on your mind. Time. You’re running out.