Byron's Babbles

Yesterday I heard the phrase “Don’t hold yourself to someone else’s timeline.” In the context it was used, the person was stressing to another that she shouldn’t compare her progress or achievements to those of others. This was a great reminder to focus on our own journey, goals, and pace rather than feeling pressured to meet external expectations or follow someone else’s schedule. Everyone has their own unique path in life, and what works for one person may not work for another.

The past couple of days I have the phrase related to “making one’s own luck.” I’ve thought about this a lot and wonder if we can make our own luck. While we can’t control every circumstance, we can certainly influence our own luck through our actions and mindset. As the old saying goes, luck often comes to those who are ready for opportunities. By honing our skills and learning new things, we increase the chances of seizing opportunities when they arise.

It also comes down to building relationships because those relationships can open doors that might not be available otherwise. Also, what seems like bad luck can be a valuable learning experience. Embracing failure as a part of the journey can lead to greater success in the future.

I guess we can say luck can sometimes play a role, our efforts and attitudes can significantly shape the outcomes we experience. In other words, if we want to make our own luck we must take the initiative. We can’t wait for opportunities to come to us. We must be proactive in seeking out new experiences or challenges.

I’m a huge Candace Parker fan and have followed her career. She is an incredible leader and role model. I now love to listen to her comments as a studio analyst for CBS/TNT Sports. In a discussion about the Michigan State/Bryant game she was complimenting Tom Izzo and how it had to bring his players a great deal of confidence that their coach had been in the NCAA tournament so many times. Izzo, she pointed out, has seen almost all possible scenarios play out. We a lot of times forget how great a coach he is and how great a program that is. As a Purdue guy that was hard for me to say. She then talked about how so often we fall in love with something and then we get bored. I interpreted this as a reflection on how people often become enamored with something new, such as a relationship, a career, or a passion, only to lose interest over time.

This sentiment suggests that the initial excitement and allure can fade, leading to a sense of dissatisfaction or boredom. In the context of sports or personal pursuits, it may imply that while the thrill and joy of participating or competing can be overwhelming at first, the ongoing demands and challenges can lead to a lack of engagement if one doesn’t find ways to maintain that spark. It encourages individuals to seek continuous growth and renewal rather than relying solely on the initial passion to sustain our interest.

Do you ever feel like the thrill of the chase is more exciting than the destination itself? I got to thinking about this today after a meeting when a friend called me a ‘seeker.’ I asked what she meant. She explained, “You’re a ‘seeker.’ Once you find the next thing, it’s time to look for the next.” I guess this would be one way to describe me and many others I know, that is tied to our curiosity and the human tendency to want to grow and evolve. Sometimes I do experience that fleeting sense of satisfaction when the next thing I’ve been seeking has been achieved, which then leads to the desire to seek something new or different.

As a a ‘seeker’ I do actively search for knowledge, understanding, or truth. Seekers are often curious individuals who explore various aspects of life, including spiritual beliefs, personal growth, and new experiences. We tend to ask questions, challenge the status quo, and seek deeper insights beyond the surface level. What believe we all need to remember, however, is to keep the things we are seeking congruent to our purpose. Our purpose creates the difference between lasting joy and feeling unfulfilled.

We seekers have a desire for knowledge, understanding, and personal growth. Being a seeker needs to be about balance. It’s important to stay grounded while exploring and to recognize when we might need to pause and reflect rather than constantly search.

How about this for a super cool thought? “We must stay flexible or we become blind to the possibilities.” Think about it. If we become too rigid in our thinking, routines, or beliefs, we may miss out on new opportunities and experiences. Being open-minded and agile helps us adapt to change and embrace new ideas or paths that could lead to growth, creativity, innovation, and connection.

Remaining open-minded enables us to explore different perspectives and solutions, whether in personal relationships, career choices, or life challenges. When I ponder all the possibilities out there that I’ve not even begun to think about it staggers the mind. That is why we must open our minds and be prepared to discover possibilities not yet considered.

In a conversation yesterday I was reminded of something my dad used to tell me. He would always say, “You can ‘should have’ yourself 100 different ways.” He would always continue with, “I’m not going to ‘should have’ you and I’m not going to let you do it to yourself.” By not wanting me to ‘should have’ myself, my dad wanted me refraining from placing unrealistic expectations or judgments on my past actions or decisions. He was a keep moving forward kind of guy and I’m blessed to have had him teach me that.

We always need to do our best so we can acknowledge that we did the best we could with the information and resources we had at the time. Instead of engaging in self-blame or regret, we should focus on learning from our experiences and moving forward. This mindset encourages self-compassion and helps us cultivate a more positive outlook on our personal growth.