There are some times in life when you want to see results. You don’t want to “waste” your time doing what you’ve been doing all along. You think you’ll be happier if you can try something “new” – but what?
Will it work?
Will you feel better having tried something “new” even if the attempt – and the results – are a colossal failure?
Mankind is drawn to the “new” – to the “innovative” – but is doing something new with your work, your relationships, your inner life going to make you happy?
Maybe for a time.
There’s always a thrill when attempting something you haven’t tried before. It’s a feeling of hope and ambition that things “might be better this time.”
But if your “new idea” doesn’t turn out the way you had envisioned and those hopes are dashed, it’s as devastating as walking off a cliff.
Hope is a powerful motivator, but don’t let hope and ambition be the predator that chases you to an ultimately destructive course of action. Learn to control hope and ambition, and harness it for your good.
There is nothing wrong with aiming for the stars – you may land on the moon.
Yes, try something you’ve never tried before. It may work.
But here are some things to think about.
Doing something “new” and “innovative” is not wrong – unless it causes to go against what is virtuous and right.
The conversation regarding switching up things in your job, life, or relationships doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing conversation. You can hold fast to virtue and do your duty while making positive changes in life.
This is where our earlier conversation on tradeoffs comes into play. Knowing what you are having to sacrifice for the opportunity to try your new or innovative idea is important.
Usually – but not always – you can implement your new or innovative idea in a small way to see if that can work for you. Kind of a test drive.
People in your life have to know what’s going on with you. If you start switching everything on them without at least talking to them about the change and your thinking behind the change, you’re going to lose their support and trust – making your attempt at change more difficult.
Understanding the difference between your duty and the expectations of others is key to this conversation.
You have a duty to:
Your Creator makes His expectations clear through scripture. It is your duty to pursue adherence to His expectations.
But people…people are a different story.
People have expectations of us…sometimes aligned with our duty, but often focused on their own self-interest.
So, when it comes to people, know the difference between their expectations and your duty.
And always do your duty.
In the arena of unfounded expectations of others, there is wiggle room. You can make a judgment call in this area based on what you are willing to sacrifice and who you are willing to disappoint – and how much.
Life is always about timing. This may not be the time for you to implement your “big idea.” It may cause too much upheaval and disruption to your life and to others.
So what do you do?
Take pride in the virtue of doing your duty and, assuming your “big idea for change” is righteous and not selfish, wait for the right timing.
One of three things will happen.
No matter what happens in the future, your job for today is to do your duty and find happiness in doing the right thing.
After all, there is a certain sense of satisfaction one gets from doing their duty in hard times.
The soldier on the battlefield is concerned with doing his duty and caring for his fellow soldiers. Our attitude in circumstances that we can’t drastically change should be the same.
“Do my duty, and ensure the safety and health (physical, emotional, spiritual) of those around me.”
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Until next time, have a happy day.