FADE TO LIFE: Let your Livelihood help you to celebrate your life!

In the movies, when they are transitioning from one scene to another, there is a term called "fade to black." I am suggesting as we transition from one "season of life" to another, that we "fade to life." Think about it; we spend the first half of our lives learning, applying, discovering, and proving. At some point, we should graduate to a higher level. You will know when graduation time comes because you will be willing to "discard" the safety of things things that you once held dear. Things will start to get heavy, cluttered, and inhibiting.

There will be a low level of discontent. You will find yourself asking the question: "now what." You may not verbalize it but the ho hum of it will be evident. It will reveal itself in thoughts of boredom, the superficial need for outrageous things, perhaps even a trip to unknown places. The journey is really an internal one. The ideal is to celebrate the first half by greeting the second half with the results of the first half.

The most important thing to remember is that you are calling the shots this time. No more "shoulds and "ought to's." You should be critically aware that when you die--the person in your casket will be YOU! Yes, it is you who will be in your casket! That is the person who should be making the decisions while you live. Other people can help you live but your die alone.

There are a few decisions you need to make. While you may or may not make the "right" one based on other people's standards, your approach should always be a Socratic one: "Why or why not?" You have earned the right to ask, ponder, accept, or reject with a clear conscience. While the "mind" is a terrible thing to waste--a life wasted for the wrong reason is tragic.

I see the rest of my life as being on a "high stakes scavenger hunt!" The clues will come in the decisions I make. I will share some of the decisions that arise that "other people" will attempt to influence.

The first one is MARRIAGE. It is nice to share your life but only if it enhances the quality of it. While the world is debating on the meaning of "happiness," let's stake our claim on contentment. Whether you are single or married, people in your life should enchance your level of contentment. They are either contributing to your quality of life are draining it. When you live with someone and the two of you are incompatible; you both die a little everyday. Yes, die. The part that dies is never to be resurrected!

Life is precious--set yourself free. If you are already free, hang on to it until you feel moved to raise your level of contentment and have found the person to help you. If you are married, take inventory and govern yourself accordingly. Weigh the good and the bad and let the chips fall where they may. This also applies to the platonic relationships in your life. Examine & decide. You really do have only one life to live; so live. It is a one way trip so enjoy the journey.

That is all for today, more later.

Monitoring Miracles (MM)

For more about me, go to: www.ivorydorsey.com