Enjoy the Ride
Letters on Life #11 November 2003 Enjoy the Ride Many people
have been saying this era is different, that there's more stress
and more to worry about. While it is true we have major concerns
so did past generations. No matter what our challenges are, the
decisions and choices we make on a day to day basis determine
our ability to enjoy ourselves. I recently wrote, in Embrace
Change that my son, Josh, graduated from high school and was off
to college. I was reminded of how anxious I was to get out of
high school, get away from home and begin college even though it
was just across the bay in Berkeley. I believed college would be
the answer to my problems. It was for a brief period of time but
soon I started to experience the same disenchantment and longing
that I had experienced in high school. My focus shifted again to
the future which was getting into law school. And of course once
in law school my new focus was graduating and passing the bar so
"real life" would start. And what I called "real life" began...
I was out of school, making my own money and involved in an
intense love affair. There's no question I was excited when I
began my career as an attorney. I was on a mission to change the
world through the legal system. After a while financial
realities set in and I began to struggle in business and in
love. My mindset was that when business picked up and when I met
"the one" I could start to enjoy life again. My concerns about
the future clouded my ability to enjoy the present. I was
repeating the familiar pattern of making an unknown future
better than the present. For many of us this is a never ending
pattern. I've always been a firm believer in
synchronicity...those chance encounters that change your
life...those remarkable meetings. A friend told me of a magical
swimming hole along a river in Humboldt County and my intuition
told me to go find it. Off I went with my guitar, my dog and
sleeping bag and drove North arriving at the river just as the
sun was setting. In the morning I awoke at the crack of dawn in
search of the swimming hole. I wasn't making much progress as
there was no real trail and you had to hike in the river. As I
continued on the way to my destination I barely noticed a few
campsites until a camper offered me some food and coffee.
Although I found myself getting hungry and a little bit tired I
said no thanks to the kind invitation—I felt like I just
had to get to that swimming hole. After another twenty yards I
turned around and said "that coffee sounds good." It was what
the camper said in the next few moments that has perhaps made
the greatest impact in my life. Say man, the journey you take is
probably more important than your destination. Enjoy yourself.
Enjoy the journey. From that moment on I did. I enjoyed my
breakfast, enjoyed the rest of the hike and of course the
swimming hole was fabulous. I can honestly say it was that
experience which transformed my ability to enjoy the present
moment. At a recent retreat I heard this same message in a
different way. "The past is history, the future a mystery and
the present a gift." Imagine your life in a new context and
shift your paradigm about how you relate to the future. Imagine
the following. Instead of waiting to arrive at your destination
before you begin enjoying your vacation, you actually enjoy
packing and the trip to the airport. Instead of waiting for that
big opportunity or break to occur you are enjoying exactly what
you're doing. Instead of feeling despair about finding meaning
and purpose in your life you're enjoying the inquiry. Instead of
waiting for something to change you are enjoying what is.
Instead of waiting for that ideal relationship to happen you
enjoy life exactly as it is. Here's a suggestion. For the next
month or so experiment with completing the phrase "Life is...."
in the following way. Try ending it by saying Life is... an
adventure or Life is.... exciting. If you look at life as
adventure rather than struggle, you will begin to live an
inspired life. Let me know what it is you discover and what
living an inspired life means to you? I love receiving your many
responses and feedback. Thank you and keep them coming. Feel
free to pass this letter on to the friends in your circle and
let them know about the advantages of being on the journey. And
as my friend Roy says enjoy the ride. Some of you have wanted to
know about my other programs and services. A great way to make
the lessons of these letters your natural way of being is
through my personal mastery Ecourse and Teleclass, Commitment to
Personal Mastery. In February, I will be leading a powerful and
dynamic leadership retreat on the magical island of Kauai,
Discover the Leader Within. Hope you can join me.
Speak with you soon,
Mark mark@inspirepossibility.com
Mark Susnow, formerly a trial attorney for 30 years is a coach,
speaker, and group facilitator. He's inspired hundreds of people
to believe in themselves and to achieve their goals and dreams.
Contact Mark to discover how you can benefit from coaching and
his other programs. Be sure to visit his website.
www.inspirepossibility.com -