Darren Hardy says, “This is the most important decision of your life . . .” This is the act of choosing your life partner.

I only wish I had spent more time doing my research and getting clear with myself on who I wanted to be with the rest of my life.

Then again, I may just be the luckiest guy in the world because of the woman who agreed to marry me.

I’m not exactly sure why, but, I won the lottery and I’m grateful for her every day of my life.

Whether it’s dumb luck or I’m the smartest man alive, there’s no doubt, our children and I are the ones that benefit from the decision we made 28+ years ago.

So, needless to say, choose wisely.

I’m not sure it’s ever going to be possible for me to embrace fear.

I’ll strive for that goal, but realistically it’s going to resemble more of an acknowledgement that it exists in my life and knowing it always will.

Doing this helps me to work through the unknowns on the horizon I know I will encounter as sure as the sun is going to rise again tomorrow. The best version of me wants to face these fears on a daily basis in order to grow stronger and gain more confidence in by ability to square up and problem solve.

The reality is I don’t always want to work through them. But, every time I do, I’m glad I did. And I have to believe, I became just a little bit braver for the next time.

I’d be willing to bet if any of us looked into our past we could find mistakes, blunders and choices we made over the years – especially when we were younger – that doesn’t truly reflect who we are and the best version of ourselves. I know I can.

Then why do we continue to judge people for those past foibles and carry it into the next 1, 3, 5, 10, 15 years?

I think it’s because that’s easier for us. We can just cut them off. I understand not wanting to be around people who are not inspiring but, maybe we can find a way to give them a second chance to show you who they are today.

After all, wouldn’t you want the same. I would.

In today’s world everyone wants to be seen and heard. To the degree that often times at the cost of other people’s respect. Whether that’s in conversation, on the freeway, at public events and even our own homes.

Maybe instead of working to get your point across, your agenda fulfilled and your needs met, we can help others first.

This can be a tall order in a time when it can feel like everyone is waiting for you to slip up in order to jump down your throat and point out your blunders and announce them to the world.

Maybe those are the people that need to be recognized. Noticed. Respected. Maybe once that happens they will want to return the favor. Then again, maybe they won’t.

But, we tried.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, but then again God DID create the world in only 7 days. Woops! I mean 6. He rested on Sunday.

I have come to learn that building our lives takes time, persistence, consistency and patience. But, certainly it can be done.

Some of us can lose our focus – as there are many distractions in today’s world – and then wonder why we don’t see any changes. (SEE TORTOISE AND HARE)

And that’s because slow and steady wins the race every time. It’s not real sexy nor will we hear any music (SEE Eye Of The Tiger) to get us pumped up, but nevertheless, that’s the truth.

We need to look no further than all the greats before us who have put a dent in the universe by choosing to be a master at one thing (at least). Most of them devoting their entire lives to this craft.

I want to follow those cats!