"The three criteria for life are Respiration, Circulation and Ambition."
A pulse proves that our heart is beating, but it doesn't prove that we're alive. Having goals, dreams and a destiny worthy of life is what proves that we are indeed living creatures.
If the things we aspire to have any value, they are by definition going to be hard. And we are by definition going to make mistakes along the way. It's better if we try to avoid stupid mistakes, but we're going to screw up at some point.
And when w screw up, it seems like the whole world is anxious to point out our error. If the government can figure out how to impose a penalty, fine or sanction, it does so enthusiastically. Friends sometimes laugh at us, or push away from us. Family loves to say, "I told you so", and our own conscience rebukes us incessantly.
Our response to these things leads one of two directions.
Either we train our conscience, family and friends to help us accomplish our goals and realize our dreams, pick ourselves up and refocus, reaffirm, regroup and recommit ourselves to the outcome we seek, and experience this natural phenomenon called Growth,
Or we shrug our shoulders, and in the grasp of guilt, we realize that our dreams are unattainable, our goals are out of reach and we're not good enough. We set our goals and dreams aside and conform to others' expectations of us or someone else's image of who we're supposed to be And we experience the unnatural result called Complacency.
I could insert a whole sermon here about where God stands in this particular either/or. But those of you who would be interested in the sermon can write it yourselves. Those would would be offended by it wouldn't read it anyway.
So instead, I just want to be a voice today that encourages each and every person on the planet who feels like they're falling short, failing and bogged down in life to use the re- words above and a hundred others, to pick yourself up and keep pressing on. Don't stop growing, the other choice is dying. Accept your mistakes with humility and don't repeat them, and move on.
Don't be talked out of your destiny. Aspire to grow instead.