Thrive or Survive?

Not too long ago, I had a heart-to-heart with someone very close to me…

• I talked about how when I was ready, I didn’t want to buy a home in a distant town just because it was cheaper.
• I said that I felt like I had worked really hard and therefore deserved to live where I wanted to live… of course within my means, but where I wanted to live even if a few luxuries had to be sacrificed.
• I also said that I didn’t want to have to hustle all my life. I wanted to be able (key phrase: to be able) to retire by 65 and even then work because I wanted to work and not because I had to.
• I also said that if and when I did work after retirement, I wanted to do something I loved.
• I concluded by saying that in my ‘youth’, I was willing to do what I needed to do to make that a possibility, and that I will continue to pray for good health and strength etc., because at the end of the day tomorrow is not a given, and I recognize that.

Now I do have to confess, if there had been a fly on the wall, it was probably thinking…

• Oh wow, who does she think she is?!

Or it could have been thinking…

• You go girl! You deserve this, you’ve got this!

I like to think that the fly’s school of thought was the latter though.

Regardless of what the fly thought however…

• I believe that I was born to succeed.

• I also believe that my determination is the driving force that will lead me closer to the edge of greatness.

You see, I don’t understand why I should choose to merely survive, if thriving is an option.

• So by believing that I owe myself more than just survival, I will keep pushing further and further until I am on ‘top of the world’.

Basically, just as Maya Angelou said, “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”

So my promise to myself?

• From this day on, I will strive to live my best life with kindness, empathy, humility, and generosity and passion.

I plan to take pleasure in every accomplishment, big or small.

This world has a lot to offer and so I plan on not only thriving, but inspiring and encouraging those around me to do the same.

• After all, the real joy lies in not just surviving but truly flourishing. Yes?

So what about you?

• Survive or Thrive?