The Journey

Often we strive for the end result and forget the journey we are travelling through. LA Lakers NBA Basketball coach, Phil Jackson is quoted as a believer of the ZEN ways and that its the journey that is important.

This, I feel can be used in many forms of life.

What is the end result?

I challenge you to provide an example of something that is the end. You may provide the example of death. I will not start the whole life after death argument here today. But you could certainly provide evidence that with death, another journey will continue for another.

You could be a builder who is putting it all on the line after over a years work at 6 days a week. Who is now waiting for Auction Day.

While the hammer coming down on the price he needs is very important, its simply another step in the journey. What he does next with his profits will be the result of over a years back and mind breaking work and only he can make that decision.

If his efforts in building the house are to be the best he can make it be, whats the measure of his success?

The sell price? Or that he can stand back and be proud of his work?

If he has done what he is capable of and others like it, then his phone will ring, "...i saw what you did with that place...can you do it again?"

You may be an author of tales.

You write a short story which may become a novel. Which may become a trilogy. Which may become a movie or a Broadway musical. Each step along the way is a part of the journey.

There is no end when he has signed his book deal.

There is no end when the book goes onto the shelf and there is sure as heck no end on opening night at Grauman's Chinese theatre.

Every decision you make will effect the next short to mid term period of your life.

The next line could have easily said "...so make them wisely...". But this little black duck wont be writing the obvious today.

Why not make a decision that is not the conforming? You can just turn around and make another one an hour later.

Buy stock/shares in a company that is not Blue Chip? If you get itchy about that decision...sell sell sell. You may lose 2 or 3 cents a share. But for those 2 or 3 minutes I bet you felt the adrenalin back running through your veins again.

Remember its the journey and not the price you sell that stock at.

Remember its the journey and not the price the hammer falls on for your property.

Remember its the journey and not whether or not your first movie beat Avatar at the box office.

Stop for a moment...look across the playing field and back yourself in your next decision.

Phil