WHERE IS YOUR NEW HORIZON?

When you think about “new horizons,” where does your mind wander? Far too many individuals think about tomorrow as being their “distant future,” basing their decisions more upon “what is” than having faith in “what could be.” People tend to predict their next steps based upon those they just completed rather than seeking ways to reach destinations not yet considered upon roads not yet travelled. When we react and respond with measured predictability, we will rarely find ourselves surprised by where we have wandered nor unfamiliar with where we land. When we travel upon familiar roads, we rarely arrive at unexpected destinations, regardless of the good intentions that may have initiated our journey. When we continue to do things the way they have always been done, we cannot expect to reach a result which is different from what has already been achieved.

Individuals often take vacations to “refresh and recharge” so they can return to normal when the time away (which is far too often overly scheduled and busy), has concluded. Increasingly it seems that people’ lives are becoming so out of control that extended time away from work is but a dream, with long weekends and half-days being more the norm than the exception. When we do get away, many keep phones become a nearby extension of our hands so we can stay in touch with the world from which we sought a temporary respite. Those that travel alone often experience things they would have overlooked if travelling with others but may miss some of the minor details because their focus becomes one of having a list that must be accomplished. When we travel with those familiar to us, we tend to rely upon the comfort they provide – the sense of acceptance that comes from walking beside those we know and that know us – and we can get caught up in being content with what we have rather than seeking what we have not yet experienced. Whether we travel alone or with others, however, we must guard against losing sight of new horizons that could be discovered – must work hard to seek those things and activities that could provide new and different experiences rather than immersing ourselves in situations that could prevent us from fully letting go of what we wish to escape.

When our horizons are but projections of our experiences we tend to live where we are rather than where we would like to be. We watch intently over our shoulders to avoid returning to where we were BUT often fail to look ahead far enough to see where we are going. The more success we taste, the more we tend to find comfort in where we are – feeling we “have arrived” at a destination that should be considered “an end” or a reward for our efforts, allowing ourselves to become complacent and accepting of the “here and now” as a precursor to the “is and always will be.” Rather than viewing the discovery of a new horizon as an end…a conclusion…a goal which has been accomplished…we should see each end as a new beginning from which we might start our next new adventure.

Our perspective is the only thing limiting our individual horizons. We exceed our expectations only when we look beyond our present circumstances towards opportunities that may not yet have materialized…when we open our eyes to see what we might yet be accomplished rather than basking in our past glories. We should identify where we wish to be, then act intentionally to reach those levels. When we enter uncharted waters during the ebb and flow of life, rather than anchoring to remain safe in a harbor to outlast the storm we should embrace the opportunity to discover new horizons and sail cautiously forward…anticipating the pitfalls that might be ahead of us but seizing the opportunity to explore the treasure beyond the turmoil. We should think beyond the moment in whatever we say or do as today can be either one day removed from history or one day closer to an unimagined new beginning. Living within the comfort of your past – or the reality of your present – only shelters you from the successes your future could hold. 

RUNNING AWAY FROM A SITUATION ACCOMPLISHES LITTLE…RUNNING TOWARDS AN OPPORTUNITY CAN ACCOMPLISH MUCH

Many people think that moving away from a situation – that picking up and starting over – is all they need to do to begin a new life and experience different results given the same effort in a new environment. They feel that changing the people, places, and things around them will drastically alter their lives – will magically cause them (and others) to react differently and view their chosen course of action in a way that might somehow be more productive or beneficial. In reality, people rarely run away from themselves when they try to escape their problems so “picking up and starting over” accomplishes very little to generate lasting change.

Many maximize the impact others have on their failures while minimizing their own contribution to negative results. They tend to maximize their personal contributions towards any success while discounting the involvement of others and minimize their own part in failure while maximizing what others did to cause it. We can run from places, situations, relationships, and the ramifications of the choices we make but we cannot alter “who we are” or how we react by positioning ourselves in a different environment. When recognizing the need for change (and identifying the steps needed to initiate it, “the monster in the closet” that needs addressing is often “us” (and the things we do) rather than “them” (or the things done to us). If we are to overcome the obstacles standing between where we are and where we wish to be we must realistically identify the role we played in the success AND/OR of the failings of an endeavor (rather than claiming all the credit while shifting all the blame).

People tend to live in a world of “what is” rather than of “what if.” We like to make excuses for things that happen “to us” rather than identifying and implementing solutions that could change “where or what we are” so we might become “what we wish to be.” We create our own success by identifying the issue, considering the ramifications of each possible alternative solution, taking intentional action (rather than hoping something will change on its own), then measuring the impact our choice made in the world around us – never giving up or moving on until the result we sought has been realized. We cannot run away from “who” we are by transplanting ourselves into a different time and place…we must identify our strengths (and leverage them) as well as our weaknesses (and work to overcome them). We only shift “who and what we are” to a new location when we run from a situation (rather than moving intentionally towards a solution). We cannot become something other than what we have always been simply by moving to a new location, beginning a new relationship, or taking a new job UNLESS we change, alter, or modify ourselves in such a manner that new initiatives and different perspectives are welcomed probabilities rather than remote possibilities.

Change can be good (if it is intentional rather than accidental and planned rather than reactive). Before running where brave men refuse to walk, however, we should ask WHY we want to move, WHAT we will do differently, and HOW our actions (thoughts or attitudes) will be expressed in a more actionable way than they were in the place we wish to leave behind. We should determine if the rewards are more significant than the risks and whether we are as willing to learn from failure as we are to achieve success. Others cannot make us successful (though they might be able to provide us with opportunities to succeed). People cannot be “something different” by simply changing their environment – they must identify their own role in “who and what they are” (along with where they choose to exist) if a “fresh start” is to occur.

Words describe what one wishes to accomplish…actions define success. We cannot do doing things the same way they have always been done and expect different results. We must intentionally invest our knowledge, talents, and abilities to make ourselves successful AND to contribute to the success of those around us. Meaningful change does not come easily and unless we change who we are, all we can leave behind by running away is how others impact what we wish to become.

DEVELOP YOURSELF TO DEFINE YOUR FUTURE

We should never try to be someone we are not as there is only one you and we should try to make that the best possible alternative in our life as it is the only variable we can truly control. Many individuals feel they must do something (or be something) different to be successful because they are unhappy (discontented, ashamed, embarrassed by or frustrated) with themselves. Unless there is more to be gained by changing, however, than pain to be felt should we NOT change, such corrections rarely prove effective (lasting, foundational, or earth-shattering). People change very little once they have established their basic values, patterns and thought processes…discover what thoughts and actions provide maximum results that require minimal effort. Because people are creatures of habit, it is often easier to leverage accomplishments and proven abilities than it is to envision an emerging future by building upon hopes and dreams in an effort to create a new and different reality. A “well known philosopher” (Dr. Suess) once aptly proclaimed, "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." We should seek to become all that we can because WE want that outcome, not because SOMEONE ELSE wants it, or we may have difficulty sustaining the energy level needed to initiate and grow from change.

People often sit back and think about what they have (or do not have), who they are (or who they might wish to be), and what they want to do (or to do differently) as they seek to alter the course of their lives. One must first, however, imagine something as being possible before it can become probable – yet dreams take time, patience, sustained effort, and an individual’s willingness to fail (then learn from it rather than succumbing to it) if we hope to achieve anything more than we have done in the past. Unless (and until) we dream of something different and invest more than passing thoughts in its realization, nothing will change.

While “failure” is not a desired (nor welcome) outcome of the change process, dreamers often recognize that there is a very real possibility they may not achieve immediate success. Robert F. Kennedy once said "Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly." Individuals who have truly made a difference in this world understand that failure is not the worst thing that might happen to them – failing to try (or refusing to learn from their failure) is far more impactful (and personally devastating). While much intentional thought and deliberate action is required to succeed, individuals making a difference in life recognize that nothing of significance is ever accomplished without having to overcome criticism, conflict and doubt as they move from the established road to a path less travelled. Further, if thoughts are to become reality, the word “impossible” must never be considered. While facts, information and well-considered alternatives are the building blocks of change, when our dreams become real to us – taking on a life of their own as we strive to fulfill the possibilities that they present – the facts do not really matter.  What we BELIEVE we tend to ACHIEVE – it is those things we only wish and hope for (without believing we could ever accomplish them) that often fall to the wayside.

Life is a series of starts and stops – of closed chapters and of new beginnings. If we are to realize change, it is important that we not only recognize the need for altered behavior as we plan for a different outcome but that we also intentionally ACT to make it happen. Knowing the facts and understanding how to make change happen does not ensure transformation. Even if we know what must be done AND recognize our role – realizing the path that must be taken should we choose to leave where we are in pursuit of what we wish to be – we will be run over and left behind if we just sit and consider what the next steps might be rather than moving forward, one tentative step at a time.

During times of change – of altered perspectives and intentional actions that create potential conflict and send us into unchartered waters – many seek to follow individuals more willing to take risks. They hope for the rewards earned by those willing to risk much by hitching their wagons to another’s star. They seek equality rather than equity in the world – often pulling down those who are successful, taking from them the fruits of their labor in an effort to narrow the gap between “those who have and those who have not.”  Think about how much could be accomplished (and achieved) if “those without” would be willing to accept the tools necessary to narrow the gap and learn how to use them to elevate themselves (rather than hoping to have what they feel they deserve handed to them by those who have worked and invested to make a difference). 

Mark Twain once said, "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first." We are not “owed” success – we must identify what WE consider to be success before seeking ways that might move us from possibility to probability, then ACT INTENTIONALLY to make our hopes and dreams become reality if we are to experience change. What might be possible if everyone worked towards an elevated goal rather than accepting their current reality as an end?  Imagine the heights we could achieve if all attempted to reach the top of their mountain rather than being content to rest its shadows and the valleys. Think of the dreams that might be brought to fruition if all viewed their present position in life a starting point rather than a destination – a beginning rather than an end. Embrace (without fearing) failure and accept (without hesitation) each opportunity or challenge that enters your life if you seek to transform the dreams you may have into the reality that you can achieve.