transformer

These days, it’s easy to get down about things. After all, times aren’t what they used to be. It’s easy to get discouraged to the point of doing nothing, to feel as if your luck has run out. To wonder why everyone else seems to have it better.

If you’re at that point---a point from which I can totally empathize---I want to talk with you.

My present situation

I live in small town on an island in the most isolated landmass on Earth—Hawaii. Here, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the rest of the world because life is contained, slow and methodical and deliberate.

The people here are kind and decent and the climate is comfortable. The streets are safe and clean, and neighbors look after one another. The beach is 15 minutes away. Because there’s nothing wrong with where I live, I can’t really complain about it.

Yet there’s another side of me that can’t ignore the glaring limitations of a simple life in the counrty. To sum it up: today feels like yesterday and tomorrow feels like today. Next week and next month and next year feel like last week and last month and last year.

Then there’s the economy, which has catalyzed my discontent. Having once felt secure and content with a rural life in Hawaii, I now find myself struggling every waking minute. How will we pay for this? How can I possibly add that to my busy schedule? What, no family vacation this year?

Each morning when I go running with my wife, we see another house up for sale and another family moving away. The price of things go up while the value of things go down. Jobs are nowhere to be found and everyone is cutting back. Blah, blah, blah…we’ve all heard this, right?

And what I’m doing about it

Tough times in tough places can get you down, but it’s also one of the best times in your life to re-invent yourself.

When the foundations of things you once assumed to be solid are now crumbling, one of the best things to do is purposely set forth the principles of who you are, what you believe in and how you will proceed.

This includes establishing the integrity of your character, the brilliance of your vision and direction of your career. Trim those things from your life you once believed in but are now hollow and excessive and counter-productive. Refuse to give into people who weigh you  down.

Today one of my kids was listening to some Schoolhouse Rock music. It was “The Preamble” song about the US Constitution and how it came about. Listen to it if you get a chance — it’s quite beautiful. They sing about the Founders of the United States and the freedom they sought from a way of life that didn’t work for them:

In 1787 I’m told Our founding fathers did agree To write a list of principles For keepin’ people free.

The U.S.A. was just startin’ out. A whole brand-new country. And so our people spelled it out The things that we should be.

Think of yourself as a Founder of your new destiny. It doesn’t have to as grandiose or sweeping as the Preamble, but you ought to establish some strong convictions that will set the tone and direction of your life moving forward. The lyrics that follow are all too familiar, but certainly worth repeating:

We the people [of the United States], In order to form a more perfect union, Establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, Provide for the common defense, Promote the general welfare and Secure the blessings of liberty To ourselves and our posterity Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Imagine — the USA setting forth its guidelines in a mere 52 words! I’m sure you can do it in less if you put your mind and heart into it.

What I’ve learned so far

  • Ignore everybody
  • Family comes first
  • Don’t settle
  • Have faith
  • Wisdom without kindness is useless

How about you?

Image by azrainman.