Focusing on the present is important. In fact some people struggle to stay in the moment and not stress about the future. But totally disregarding the future and not taking into consideration how present actions will affect you later on can be just as harmful. Especially when your present actions are focused on things that really shouldn’t be priorities.
More and more often it seems, especially in the blogging world and the world of health and fitness, that people are only concerned with numbers, gains, PRs, following strict plans, and arbitrary (and mostly meaningless) indicators of accomplishment. Many have seemed to forget, or at least get distracted away from the things in life that truly matter: the respect of others, making a positive impact in the world, cherishing moments with family and friends, serving others out of the goodness of your heart, pursuing your true passions, and learning to love and accept yourself for who you are. All these things are what truly make a life fulfilling and worthwhile. Of course, physical achievements and progress can provide fulfillment and satisfaction…but those feelings are temporary. What will make you fill full mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually are making lasting connections with those around you, putting down roots with your determination and drive, and cementing yourself as a person who has more to them than meets the eye.
Physical aesthetics, rigid plans, and self control can only take you so far. Focusing on the superficial aspects of life may provide momentary pride or sense of accomplishment, but they are not the components of a life that fill it with abundance.
So ask yourself, what type of person do you want to be in your future? In ten years from now…
Do you think people will care about how much you lifted at the gym or how much you lifted others up around you?
Will the momentary control you felt turning down a cookie make you feel good or will you regret turning down a family vacation because it would have interfered with your ‘health and fitness routine’?
Will you look back with fondness on the once in a lifetime meal you enjoyed at a famous restaurant or will you still feel the fleeting high of exercising extreme strictness over your diet no matter how special the occasion?
Will you be stuck in the same unsatisfying career or feeling empowered for chasing your dreams and going after your true passions?
Do you think your body will feel energized and vivacious after a lifetime of treating it right or will it be in ruins from overwork and overuse?
Will you have spent a decade as a slave to the scale or as a free spirit that follows their heart?
Will you appreciate the healthy relationship you have with rest and relaxation or regret not becoming comfortable with taking a break when you had the chance?
Do you think people will recognize you for your smile and undeniable charisma or will they just think of you as that person who ‘workouts and eats well’?
Will you have spent years counting calories or being unable to count on two hands the amount of amazing family and friends who you’re close with?
Will you cherish the moments you were able to introduce your child to their first taste of ice cream or chocolate cake or will you reflect with sadness on not being able to take part in the simple pleasures of life?
Will you remember the times you spent laughing and chatting with your family or the hours you spent isolated, alone at the gym?
Will you feel more proud about your words and actions or for the way you look?
As beauty fades and age sets in, will you have meaningful accomplishments to define yourself with or just a slew of workout logs to give you a sense of satisfaction?
Do you think watching your bank account climb will bring you true happiness or will the richness you have in love and life experience bring your contentment?
Will you be feel happy and comfortable in your body or still dwelling on the imperfections that only you see?
Will you have let societal standards and passing trends control your decisions or will you have listened to your internal voice for guidance?
Will the people you’ve chosen to surround yourself with be negative forces within your life or will you have chosen to embrace people who believe in your dreams and goals just as much as you do?
Do you think you’ll have pursued some of the goals that have long lingered on your bucket list or stayed stagnant in your routine due to fear of change?
Will that extra hour of cardio really matter or will the hours you spent volunteering each week have impacted the lives of countless others?
Will you be living a life that feels good on the inside or just looks good on the outside?
Think about your day to day choices. In ten, twenty, or even fifty years from now…which ones will really be important and lead you down a road to living a memorable, fulfilled life. In future, you won’t have the opportunity to change the past, only your reaction and response to it. But why set yourself up for regret. Why not start RIGHT NOW leading a life that it is worth reflecting on in a positive way. A life that others will be in awe of. A life that others will appreciate and benefit from. It’s time to take the focus off of ourselves a little bit and to start considering how much of our own lives shape the lives of others.
If we think of ourselves as an important component of the betterment of the global community we’ll start to realize what’s really important in life. We all need to take some time every once in a while to reevaluate or priorities and determine whether we really are focusing on the things that matter in life.
I don’t know exactly where I’ll be in ten years from now…heck, I don’t even know where I’ll be a year from now! And that can be a scary thought. But what helps me deal with the anxiety that the future causes is a time to time reassessment of how I am choosing to live my life. When I get too wrapped up in the things that really don’t matter (looks, money, physical strength, arbitrary definitions of success, comparing myself with others etc.) I know it’s time to take a step back and recenter myself on the things that truly matter. My family, my friends, my interactions with others, simple acts of kindness, and trying to leave each day a little better and brighter than when it began.
It’s not simple. And it’s not easy. But if we all work a little harder on re-prioritizing, lessening our navel-gazing, and leading lives that will be remembered for the right reasons…the world will be a better place. Because let’s be honest….it’s a little morbid, but death really is the great equalizer. No matter what you did during your life, we all go out the same way. No one is exempted…no matter how pretty they were, how ripped they were, how much money they had, or how much they lifted at the gym. What makes someone’s life truly meaningful is the impact they left on others. That’s what makes someone immortal. The fact they lived their life in a way that made an imprint on other people’s lives.
(sorry for the heaviness/deepness/randomness of this post…just some thoughts I had that I wanted to get out…stay tuned for some more sharing and realizations I’ve had recently this weekend)
On a lighter note…be sure to enter my Elevate Me Oatmeal giveaway! Lots of power packed oats up for grabs!
See you all for Lend a {Healthy} Hand!!
Kaila
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Todays’s Healthy Help: Let some one borrow my notes for a class we have a test in tomorrow!
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32 responses to “10 years from now…”
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my masters is in career counseling so Ive spent SO MUCH TIME with clients focusing on this…I need to make ME FOCUS ON THIS.
SAME HERE!!!
You said SO much that I agree with. Thank you for being brave and expressing your true feelings and reactions. You go girl!
Thanks Lora!! I appreciate that!
Great post, Kaila! Good reminders to think about every day! 🙂
Thanks Natalie!!
such thought provoking questions! yet another great post, my friend 🙂
Thanks Julianna!! 🙂
Great post! This makes me feel so much better about choosing to follow my dreams and move to Alaska! It’s hard and scary but I think it will be worth it in the end!
YES! Good for you girl! Following your heart will only lead to good things!
this. yes.
use these types of things for motivation to stick to my “non-body image focused” life all the time!
Thanks Clare! Glad you could relate!
Did you watch Grey’s Anatomy last night? This was the main theme, and has me thinking!
I actually don’t watch Grey’s!! Guess we were just thinking the same thing! LOL
That is a freakish coincidence then! You shoudl watch that episode just to see.
This is SUCH a great post!! Thank you!! Definitely something I need to think about!
Thanks Lora! I’ve definitely been doing a lot of thinking of my own lately!
Love this! Such a good reminder, thanks for sharing! 🙂
Thank you Marielle!
Great post!
Thanks Nicole!!
This post is exactly what I need to brighten my Friday. Thanks so much, Kaila! I could not agree more with what you have shared. 🙂
Glad it brought you some joy, Gabi!!
Tears in my eyes.
Yes yes yes yes.
Thank you, friend 🙂
I think this is an excellent reminder of what our real priorities must always be!!
Thanks Rachel!!! 🙂
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Amazing post, girl! I love this so damn much.
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