Life By Design

There was a time when I envisioned a life where I worked for myself and traveled the world.  I leveraged technology to keep me in touch with my business, and I could get things done from anywhere I chose.  My wife traveled with me, and we showed our children the world.  It was a good vision.

Obviously, I didn’t convince myself that I could pull it off.  If I had, I’d be writing these updates from a Tuscan villa, a Western-style coffeehouse in Tokyo, or a hotel with a view of Mount Kilimanjaro.  I’m actually writing this from my basement.  It’s getting outside these days.  I’ll be going to bed soon and waking up long before dawn starts to show its crack just so I can get in my car ahead of the rush.

I am grateful for my life and for what I have.  Trust me, I recognize how good I have it.  At the same time, my approach remains too passive.  It must be more active.  Perhaps a part of me didn’t really want that jet-setting lifestyle.  Perhaps part of me did but didn’t believe I had it in me.  Perhaps part of me knew it was possible but was afraid to fail.  Perhaps all of these things are factors.  Even so, tell me this: why should I not have that life I envisioned?  Did the world deprive me?  Certainly not.  Did I deprive myself?  Certainly.  The reason?  Again, could be any number of things.  Who really knows…?  

Well, I suspect I do know.  It’s just a matter of whether or not I’m going to let myself in on the secret.

All I know for sure is this: it is best to live a life created by choices, not a life created by of chance.  The difference between the two is a matter of perspective.  And perspective is all about choice.  

My choice is a life by design.