If "if" was a Fifth

There's an old saying: "If if was a fifth, we'd all be drunk." Stop and think about this old adage. I'm rather confident you have heard it more often than not. There's a problem attached to this phrase and I want to expound on it.

Meaning

What the heck is the meaning of this oft-repeated phrase? Simply stated, it means that the world is full of “if’s”. If this, if that.

Where the rubber hits the proverbial road, what we have then is a situation where individuals waste their lives away wishing and dreaming and hoping things would or could be different. These people are drunk on one or more of the following three factors: 1) immovability; 2) living in the distant future; and/or 3) living in the past.

Are you immovable - stuck where you are and are you refusing to move forward and making wise decisions? Or are you dwelling on the past or are you indecisive about your future?

Assessment

It can certainly be humbling but nevertheless enlightening to assess which one or more of these above-mentioned factors keep us from making the right decisions. Wasting time mulling over what could have been or could be different is to wallow in regret or be indecisive about one's future direction.

It doesn't have to be this way, dear readers. What we need is a change of heart so we can move forward and begin to leave the what if's in the past and escape that horrific trap of regret. Worrying about past decisions we have made and what could have been is like rocking in a chair: it gets us absolutely nowhere.

When those thoughts pop into my head, I immediately dismiss them. I have no regrets about dismissing regrets. What has been done has been done, and all the worrying and wishing won't change what has been done.

But there is something we can change if we choose to do so and that is to change for the better.

Change is action

We will continue to remain stuck in the sand trap of regret and wishful thinking if we fail to have a change of heart. We have to "do" rather than "wish." Our future does not have to be dismal but rather it beckons to us so: Come! Come with me and dream, come and be inspired; come with courage and I the future will align with you and guide you!

Motivation

Let me encourage you to get motivated. Sleep is for the dead and listless, but you and I have an opportunity to be more alive. We must not be sluggards!

We all dream, but we need to put our dreams into action. There is something in this vast universe that inspires each and every one of us, and we have to determine what it is for each of us, because they are often very different from what inspires others. Don't be a follower, rather be a pathfinder.

Once we are inspired, we have to have the courage to act on our dream(s) and inspiration. If we do not, we are back to square one with the what if's. That's a veritable rut of life.

Finally, once we begin acting the future works with us. I like what one of my favorite authors has to say about this in his bestselling book, "The Alchemist."

"And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it” - Paulo Coelho.

There's our harmony and our motivation!

Escape tips

Let's get going today. Begin by making a list of what you value in your life and duly note which ones you are presently not honoring.

Take heart in knowing that whatever decision you and I make is not necessarily permanent, because you and I can always change our minds!

As mentioned above, take the necessary action on the things you do want and take note of what you have learned.

Move away from the what if's and move towards the what will be! Be encouraged today and going forward.

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