A Sunday Word: You Gotta Work

Happy Sunday! Happy Superbowl Sunday! Happy (insert whatever you care about) Sunday! :)

Right now, I am reading a book entitled "7 Days To A Positive Attitude". Although the actual advice isn't anything Earth-shattering, this book is filled with great quotes and encouraging words. 

I came across this quote today:

“If you want to succeed in the world you must make your own opportunities as you go on. The man who waits for some seventh wave to toss him on dry land will find that the seventh wave is a long time a-coming. You can commit no greater folly than to sit by the road side until someone comes along and invites you to ride with him to wealth or influence” - John. B Gough

In short, you have to be a trailblazer and work hard to experience success. Sometimes, we hope that our dreams will supernaturally manifest out of thin air and we will be able to "reach out and grab them". Or, we believe that if we do what "person X" does, associate with the "right people", or pray hard enough, the universe will align in our favor. WRONG.

I do believe in God and prayer. I do believe that it is beneficial to surround yourselves with people who are progressive and can help you and motivate you to be a better person. But, no matter how much you pray or whom you associate with, you have to be willing to do the work to get what you want out of life. Even religious books encourage hard work (i.e. "faith without works is dead")!

You are responsible for making the necessary changes to create the life you want. What worked for others may not work for your because YOUR dreams, YOUR goals, YOUR life is a unique experience. No one is going to hand you what your desire in a box.

The grass often looks greener in your neighbor's yard, but are you taking care of your own lawn?

-T. Amour