Winning the Rat Race

Life is sometimes referred to as a “rat race” and for good reason. For many upstanding Americans, the description fits all too well. You are encouraged as a child to work hard, turn off the TV and video games, and to do well in school. Why? Because if you do well in school you can go to a good college. If you do well in college you’ll get a valuable degree and with a valuable degree you’ll land a good job. If you have a good job then you can earn more money. If you earn more money you might be able to save enough of it to quit that job to retire … and sit around watching TV. Yes, the goal is to quit the same job you got with the good degree, from the good college from doing well in school as a kid. Does that cycle seem a little meaningless and empty to you?

It’s a slog each week, Monday through Friday, just to make it to the weekend where you get a short reprieve and do it all over again. That’s exhausting! It’s no wonder people are depressed and angry. If the prize at the end is basically getting to the same place you were when you were in kindergarten – no responsibility and plenty of free time, albeit with more aches and pains so less ability to enjoy that free time – why go through 60 years of effort and hassle from five to sixty-five?

You’ve been trained put aside passions and pursue practicality. However, practicality with no passion is an empty endeavor. Pragmatism does have its place, don’t get me wrong, but we can’t allow it to choke out our true gifts and callings. Making a positive impact in this world is never practical. It won’t happen ritually punching a time clock for sixty years until you can finally afford to quit.

You only get one shot at Life so you must make it count. Be willing to raise the stakes and pursue a greater purpose. Reach for a higher calling. This world needs people to step out of line and follow an inspired path with vision and determination rather than follow the herd around them. Why were you put here on this earth? Even if it takes you your whole life, do everything in your power to find the answers. Seek out passions that wake you up every morning. Search for purpose that challenges you and compels you to improve who you are. Impact the lives around you. Leave the rat race behind.

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