There comes a time in everyone’s life, when you must learn to walk and not run. It’s a whole tortoise and hare scenario, but this time its your life and not a cartoon. Surprisingly this is not an easy task, but everyone must endure it and anyone can do it. At some point in life, you begin to ask yourself what your purpose is, I still ask myself the same question. There is no shame in struggling with this question, its one of the blessings of being human. To struggle is a blessing just as much as success, each a sign of progress.

Our ability to have thoughts about our thoughts is the keystone to our deepest levels of understanding and yearning for knowledge. Allowing our minds to slow so that we may think critically about our lives, is an invaluable skill that must be purposefully honed.

Many of us waste so much time resenting this ability, complaining that we have such an amazing ability, as if this agonizing task that life has so graciously bestowed upon you isn’t what makes you, well…. you.

You are what you think, your emotions are the slaves to your thoughts, and you are the slave to your emotions, you are both the slave and the master. You literally create your purpose and how you feel about it with your thoughts. I hope one day we can all learn to be thankful for this fact, I at times still struggle, but day by day I’m getting better.

A major shift in my journey of thought was learning to slow down, not just my thoughts, but my actions as well. Taking the time to walk instead of run will allow you to see the world a little differently.

The next time you have a conversation with someone, listen to their every word with the intent to understand and make a real connection during that conversation. When you eat your next meal, savor every single bite and allow you whole body to feel nourished by the meal. Walk outside close your eyes and listen to the earth and hear all the life that is around you. Walk through the streets and feel the love that surrounds you. This love for life and a love for each other is everywhere, even if you don’t feel it in your surroundings, its lies within you, it lies within all of us .

I cannot definitively tell you if it’s better to walk instead of run through life, but I can tell you I am enjoying mine much more now that I am, all it takes is a few extras seconds to be in the moment and really appreciate all that is happening around you.

Never forget that this life you live is a gift, if the circumstances of your life are not to your liking, then use the power within you to change them. This may mean giving up some things, time, or energy, but the universe will reward you with what you seek. Don’t let the worlds idea of immediate gratification lead you astray from your path, good things take time, and great things take longer.

There is an abundance of positivity around the world, you may not always be surrounded by it, but trust me when I tell you it is there, waiting to be utilized. Those moments will still arise when you’re going to have to be your own source for a pick me up, but it’s a skill that will come easier to you the more you practice.

Learn to think in terms of gratitude for the little things because the big things are usually out of our control. This can be difficult, but it is possible for you, for me, for anyone, try it today; think of one small thing you are grateful for. Have gratitude, and not just for the good things, but for all facets of your life, when you wake up, look in the mirror and just be thankful that you have more life to live.

Make the most of your time and your energy, surround yourself with others who will push you to do better, and go make it happen. No matter how much money or success you acquire, you will never have enough of it to turn back time. Go out into the world and make each moment count. These moments are what make you who you are, and what make life such an amazing and precious gift.

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present”