Writings: (Don’t) be careful what you ask for….

“Be careful what you ask for…..”

Whenever I hear someone say this (is it true for you?) they’re almost always noticing something that turned out…the way it was asked for.

“Hope I get a promotion.”

So you do. With no raise.

“I always catch 4–5 colds every winter.”

Ah-chooooo.

OK, so we never really know how things are going to turn out. Cool enough – we can come up with a zillion examples of the surprises life can throw our way, both stuff we expected & things that went the other way. But lately I’ve been noticing how people articulate pretty clearly what they really want, and then just as articulately list the reasons they’re not going to see it happen.

“I want another job!”

So, go after one.

“I can’t. I need the benefits at this one, and the family would have to move, and my parents don’t want me to do that, and I have to feed the dog (someone actually told me that, and let that keep her from finishing updating her resume), and I’m scared and my wife has friends where I work now and my husband doesn’t make enough money and….”

You get the idea.

It’s time to take the leap. Take the risk, take the jump. Sure, be careful enough to not whack yourself or hurt someone or neglect the chance to love someone, but not so careful you pass up the chance to feel how wonderful it feels to do what you truly were born to do.

I met a guy who was conducting a tour at The Future of Flight factory in Seattle (it’s a Boeing operation –  you see planes made), and since I saw him five times (I brough him tour groups), I told him it sure was fun to watch him give tours, because he seemed to be having such a good time, which in turn made it fun for the people.

He said, “My daddy told me, “If you do something you love, you never have to work a day in your life.'”

Wouldn’t that be great?

Be wise, be observant, use discretion…but don’t be so “careful” you can’t taste the thrill of doing what your heart sings for you.

Make it so, Number One.

– Brother Ian