I believe there is a reason for me being alive. I think the same is true for you. It is more than just the drive to keep the species alive. In recent years we have found that to be even more the case with births decreasing and the sense of independence growing. The number of births has been steadily decreasing over the years. It makes me think that the main drive of us being alive is not simply to procreate and further our species. I believe the prize in life is for us to reach a life that was predetermined for us. Whether that be the will of the universe or a deity is up for debate. However, what I can tell you is that life can be whatever you want it to be. In this week’s blog, I want to speak about our most ambitious goals and how to attain them.

The dreams and ideas you have in your mind are a culmination of your environment and outside stimulus. This is why in different regions of the world, people act and operate differently. For example, if you look at the current western society, you will find that people are interested in their growth more than others. I understand this is not the case for everyone, but the majority will fall into the role of self-growth and independence. What I will say is that the culture here in the west is different than in the east. With that being said, I do not believe one society is better or correct in its way of thinking and living. I will say that the dreams we have been molded by are what society has been telling us all along.

Here in the west, we are fed the belief in freedom and equality. People are interested in their thoughts and cannot be bothered by what other people think. However, this way of living is starting to cause a discrepancy in how people are living. We have people in the west who believe that eastern ideals will be better for them and vice versa. That cultural swing is creating a disturbance in our harmony as a species. If I had to guess what the result would be, it would be a society that becomes lost and confused about its meaning in life. Your meaning of life should be personalized to you. However, society has made a cookie-cutter mold for how everyone should act.

Having a basis for how people should live and act takes away the individuality a person has. I am proud to say that my hopes, dreams, and aspirations are different than yours. My goal is not to be like everyone else. I want to be my own person and make choices that resonate with me. Do you know how many people are unhappy with life here in America currently? Though it is challenging to say an exact percentage, A study done by NORC shows that only 14% of Americans identify themselves as very happy. For perspective, in 2019, the number of Americans that identified themselves as very happy was 31%. That means that over half the people in 2019 can no longer say that they are truly happy. Now we can play the blame game all day as to why this is happening. However, there is no need to point the finger because the blame is ours to own.

People are not happy where they are in life because of their thoughts, feelings, and actions. People have started to develop bad habits over these past 40 years. I have seen where we were and where we are now. I saw the decline firsthand, and the reason is that people stopped holding themselves accountable for what their life brings. I call this; they lost sight of the finish line. People operate on auto-pilot mode and wonder why they do not have a good life. They wonder why they can’t have what the truly successful have. These people will base that life on luck and status when it is based on effort and proper planning. Though those may play some role in achieving success, there is one other factor that must be calculated. That factor is what you want out of your life before you die.

We all have the opportunity to be winners in life. We can choose to aim for first place or simply to participate. Giving our children participation trophies does not help them remain ambitious and hungry for the actual prize in life. As you can see, people are steadily becoming more unhappy and depressed by how life is progressing. It is not too late to turn around and remedy the circumstances that brought us here today. What needs to be done is to have a sense of pride and consciousness that acts as a truth pill instead of covering up our faults and imperfections. For example, if I was obese, would I blame the world for my problems? No, that is my problem, and if I want to fix it, then I have to put in the work.

The idea of “Hard Work” tends to shy people away from doing the challenging things in life. I know firsthand that losing weight is difficult. However, I know it can be done. Right now, we have all these people following doctors, scientists, and CDC guidelines, but people can’t read why being obese is unhealthy. Being obese is not beautiful; it is harmful. This is the standard that people are starting to live by. Phrases like “Do the best you can” or “You are perfect just the way you are.” This way of thinking is destructive and will inhibit growth in life. If you are supposed to go after the best life and receive the prize it has to offer, you cannot hide behind falsehoods and excuses that will not serve you.

You can live the life you want; that is our right as people. However, in the same turn, do not be upset that you can not attract or retain people who belong in your life. People have become soft over the years. If someone tells them that they can’t do something, they let that idea become their reality instead of creating their own. I have seen this happen in the school system from day one. What I do is teach people not to be concerned by other peoples limiting beliefs. You can be overweight and beautiful. You can be lazy and still make millions of dollars. All of this has shown that it is possible. The point I am trying to make is that your life has meaning. You have a purpose for living and being alive. What will you do about it?

What I have decided to do about it is to envision the best prize life could have in store for me. I do not have to know exactly what it is or how it feels, but I have to have a vision of betterment. Once that is complete, I have to start to take action toward getting closer to achieving that prize. I have to become better mentally and physically because the roads become more treacherous as I climb higher. Knowing that, I understand that I need to live by a certain standard to excel in my focus areas. You, too, can focus your attention and purpose toward your most ambitious goals. You can live the most glorious life, but what is your life reflecting upon you? Is what you are doing bringing you any closer to becoming the person you were always meant to be?

In conclusion, the person you were meant to become in life is the prize. Sadly, that prize cannot be attained easily. It requires you to live and fulfill your purpose in life. If you are unfamiliar with how to find your goal, then that should be your first step. To find the reason why you are alive. Once you have that reason, then you can go after the prize it has to offer. That prize could be wealth, abundance, or an intrinsic fulfillment that you want for yourself. No matter what it is you want to attain, it can be possible. Be careful in this choice because you are only in charge of yourself. The dreams and ambitions you set for yourself will require you to plan and take action. Dreaming and knowing a better future is nice, but you have to attain and reach that place for yourself. That prize you will receive at the end of all your goals will bring you closer to the life you were meant to have. Do not stop striving and achieving greatness, for the prizes in life can be limitless.

Until then,

Michael Rearden

CEO of Reven LLC.