STOP EATING CHEETOS… START CHANGING THE WORLD

on April 11 | in Life in General | by | with 4 Comments

Cheetos

The other day I got a comment from someone that went sort of like this: “Therese, after I get home from work, I spend my nights watching Lifetime movies, chomping on Cheetos, and discussing the latest gossip with my friends over a few glasses of wine (‘Did the Teen Mom really just [fill in some stupid thing here]? Omgggggggg….’). Admittedly, I don’t prioritize the important. But so what? I’m just fine with my life the way it is, so why should I change anything?”

Good question.

You aren’t the only one— lots of people (in fact, most people) have the same exact thought. Not about the Teen Mom, but the thought about being fine with the way their lives are currently going.

Not to be morbid, but ask yourself a simple question: if your life was suddenly over tomorrow, would you still look at it in the same way? Would you still be satisfied with the Cheetos and the gossip that have consumed your life, or would you come to a different conclusion?

For now I’ll just say this: the fragility and the utter importance of this life you’ve been given is far beyond words. In your lifetime, you have the ability to create something amazing, to touch the lives of the people around you, and to reach your true potential. Or… you could just sit on the couch eating Cheetos.

Everyone has to make this choice, and it forever alters the course of history. Abraham Lincoln made the choice. So did Oprah. And your mom. Oh, and so did that guy over there.

You know, that guy who you’ve never heard of because he did nothing.

WE’RE ALL JUST NORMAL PEOPLE

Gandhi could’ve drafted legal documents his whole life… or he could have freed India.

Mother Teresa could’ve been self-consumed her whole life… or she could have spread love.

Steve Jobs could’ve worked in some run-down cubicle his whole life… or he could have created Apple.

YOU could’ve sat on the couch watching movies your whole life… or you could have _______.

We’re all just normal people, until we realize that we’re called to do something great with our lives (and sometimes doing something great is as simple as changing one person’s life for the better, or recycling your Coke cans, or being the best parent or significant other or friend that you’re capable of being).

You don’t have to become the next Oprah, but you can choose to become… well, you.

So what will you choose? Who are you meant to become?

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[Main image Flickr credit: jronaldlee]

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  • http://clemauyeung.tumblr.com/ Clem Auyeung

    I think a follow-up post might help in how to get off your ass. It’s not that easy changing a habit – I’m still discovering new, bad habits that I should extinguish. Change is hard and the best way to do it is to do one tiny thing toward your goal to overcome inertia. (Still not so good at that.)

    • http://www.theunlost.com Therese

      So true! This is actually an old post from my archives, but you’re right– inertia is hard to overcome. Best book ever (well, or at least ONE of them): Switch by Dan & Chip Heath. Go read it now.

  • http://twitter.com/downfromtheledg down from the ledge

    i USED to feel that sense of drive and motivation to do something for the greater good (in fact my former career was consumed with doing so), i’m just trying to figure out what happened to it. i feel like my life has become meaningless-pointless-inconsequential as a result of floundering around without a passion. inspiring post.

    • http://www.theunlost.com Therese

      Just trust that that drive will come back with time. Sometimes it’s ok just to “be where you’re at” for awhile– and often, once you’ve stopped “forcing it,” it eventually comes back on its own.

      From Paulo Coehlo’s “Warrior of the Light:”

      “One day, for no apparent reason, the warrior realizes that he does not feel the same enthusiasm for the fight that he used to.

      He continues to do what he has always done, but every gesture seems meaningless. At such a time, he has only one choice: to continue fighting the Good Fight. He says his prayers out of duty or fear or whatever, but he does not abandon the path.

      He knows that the angel of the One who inspires him has simply wandered off somewhere. The warrior keeps his attention focused on the battle and he perseveres, even when everything seems utterly pointless. The angel will soon return and the merest flutter of his wings will restore the warrior’s joy to him.”

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