The End Game - Do You Have A Plan?

Another cup of coffee, another energy drink, one more cigarette, adderall, cocaine, methamphetamine, a number of other drugs. Anything to give us an edge.  If i could just have a little more energy, a little more time, a little more money, a little more solitude, a little more joy, a little more feeling. No one ever told me this life would be easy. Growing up i was told a different story. “The world will kick your ass, and there is almost nothing you can do about it.” Very motivating for a stubborn child. I wondered for a long time why this problem was presented with no solution. There is something we can do about it right? “Almost nothing” means there is something. What is it? 

As I have gotten older, and the world has unfolded in a rather enlightening way, i have realized the answer, the “almost nothing,” is specific to each individual. We are all different, so a lot of our plans vary. Maybe you want to live like you are retired. Perhaps, you want to work so hard right now that retirement is basically an absolute. Maybe you are afraid of truly living. Regardless of how you are feeling, we all need a plan to focus our minds on without these goals destructively ruminating in our thoughts. It does not need to be a depressive obsession, it needs to be motivation. It is the finish line. Once we get there we can rest, if we want. Even though we are all different, there are similar accomplishments that we all have to strive for to attain our individual success. 

Before we get into these avenues of focus, i want to write about something everyone on earth deals with on some major level; death. Some people are afraid to die. Death is to cryptic for a society that demands results now. The fact that we will most likely not know when we will depart, and that it could happen at any moment, paralyzes people with fear. If we examine the fight, flight, or freeze theory, we can probably guess where a lot of people we care about end up. 

Be a fighter with me. I could die tomorrow, but i will always try to live today. The fact that i will die makes life so much more precious. Death can be very demotivating for some, but if we decide that our perception of death will be one of hope, we can conquer anything. Why? Because death is one of the biggest fears a person will ever deal with in their lifetime. If you can get over the fear of death, fear becomes powerless. You will be forced to live.

If you cannot get over this fear, anything after the last paragraph will be a waste of your time. This post will remain up, so if you need to do some deep reflection about your life, and your death, this post will be here if you decide to come back. The way i like to think about death, a long rest coupled with eternal peace. It will be as beautiful as your life has been. Now, lets jump into something that we have in our control.

We have to be independent. Independent financially, mentally, physically, and emotionally.

 It does not matter if you are rich or poor. The fact is, if you cannot take care of yourself financially, you are not truly free. Someone has a stronghold on you, and you might be burdening them. Maybe it is a lender, maybe family, it doesn't really matter. Money is important. Not because of what it can get us, but because of the freedom it can provide, and the freedom it can take away. Take control of your financial vessel. Every step closer to independence is a step closer to what freedom really feels like. This does not need to be the first step that you master, but if you never do, you will never truly master the other steps. They are all pieces to a puzzle. 

Our mental independence is all about learning what we care about. First our values and morals have to be in place. There is an interesting interview with the 14th Dalai Lama that you should look up. In this interview, the Dalai Lama is asked how he is able to always have great answers, while never preparing for interviews. I am paraphrasing, but he responded, “I understand my values. Once someone accomplishes this, any question becomes easy to answer.” To truly be mentally independent is different from being stubborn. Being immovable is not always a good quality. We have to be open minded while still being curious and absorbent, but firm in our beliefs. Look up what happened to Tibet in the 1950s for an enthralling story.

Our physical independence is a tricky one. Mainly because of the ambiguity. The physical independence i am writing about is more about physical health. It will always be my responsibility to take care of my body. I should not consume anything bad for my health, and i should make sure that my body is rested and strong. Our mind is linked to our physical health, so this is not one to underestimate. The most important part of this section is rest. It is tempting to stay up all night, especially for a cause, but without sleep, you are less effective and healthy. Work so hard that the rest comes easy. 

Emotional independence is often swept under the rug. The fact that people need more and more from others in order to sustain their emotional stability should be apparent to most everyone. “If only people would start liking my blog posts, then i would be happy.” Nope. “If only i had more money.” No “Once i get that new car.” “Graduate School”….No, No.  We have to figure out how to be happy in our current present. We have to learn to deal with the bad times without dragging people down with us. Without mastery in this element, everything else is for nothing. You should not expect friends or family to be an anchor for you in this dynamic. The chances that they will have the answers for you are minimal. They are trying to grow for themselves, just like you. Trust me on this. We have to do it on our own for ultimate growth.

It is difficult for me to try and speculate how you would like your life to play out, everyone's desires are alike, but so different. With the four elements mentioned previously in your constant thoughts, you should end up closer to your goal every day. It is a long and hard road, but so worth walking down. Seek financial stability, train your mind and body, and control your emotional well being. May peace find you where you are. Life is so short, but what would you enjoy more, a long unaccomplished life, or a shorter impactful one? You might just get lucky and have a long impactful life, but impact is a decision that only you can make. Be free my friends, from the sorrow of knowledge and the depravity of boredom.