Did you know that fire is the only one of the classic four elements that exists only in the present? The water, air and earth of our world were in existence yesterday and notwithstanding some horrific event will be here tomorrow. Yesterday's fire is ash today and tomorrow's fire is fuel. So fire only exists now.
I bring this up because I often wonder how much of our life is wasted by not taking action. We have the good intent of getting motivated to change our lives. We prepare, we plan, we ponder, but do we commit? Do we actually take the first or final step to ignite the flames of our passion and do the things that we need to do to implement change?
In my experience I'd have to answer no. I'm guilty of falling victim to procrastination or being too comfortable where I am to take needed actions. Or even worse I get so involved in making sure that my fire is built so perfectly with all the right kindling and all the perfect accessories that I never get around to actually lighting the thing. "I'll do it first thing tomorrow after I…." was an oft repeated promise. So I'd spend another day without fire.
Now I realize that I can never get the fire back for the days I didn't build one. I also know that having all of the components for a fire is no guarantee that I can build one tomorrow. If I want to enjoy the warmth and satisfaction of the fire, I have to build it today. My call to action is this: if there is something you want in the future take action today. Don't procrastinate or take so long planning that you miss the opportunity of having a fire today. Take that first step on your treadmill, call that extra client, look at that other investment opportunity and spend time with your family and friends. No matter how small take action on making your dreams a reality today and every day. The small steps will add up to a lifetime of warmth and fulfillment that the dreams of fire tomorrow will never match.
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