What do we want from life?
When I was a little boy I had no idea what I wanted out of life. I was too busy trying to survive what was happening to me at school, around my neighborhood, at home and anywhere else I went. But, as an adult I catch myself looking back at my childhood realizing that I knew better then what I want from life than I do now. As children we are generally present to the moment, keenly aware of our immediate desire. For instance, I knew when hunger struck me I wanted to eat. I could quickly recognize the feeling that meant, "I want to go play." I never questioned those desires and I did everything I could to make sure I got what I wanted. Well, I still want what I want in this moment, but I also want to be sure that I can have what I want in the future. That's the kicker - the future.
Who is taking care of my future?
My mom bought the food for us kids and made sure we had the necessary place and toys for playing. So, as long as we stayed children our future was taken care of. I could only stay a child for so long; I had to grow up. At that point, my future became my responsibility. Looking back at my childhood I had another realization. My childhood held the answer to how to take care of my future. "Do everything I can to make sure I get what I want." The operative word being " want." You see, most of us work hard at getting what we need and what we want goes unattained. Surprise! If you get what you want what you need will be included. I have always wanted to sing. So I choose to sing to make my living. Taking care of my future is a matter of choice, not necessity.
How do I make the right choice?
When I got hungry as a kid my hunger knew what it wanted. It either wanted some candy or cookies for an energy boost or some other wonderful food to satisfy something else my body called for to stay upright and keep moving. Every one of our desires has a true and important underlying reason. It is incumbent on us to get in touch with that underlying reason and answer the call. As an adult I can make informed choices. Why do I want that house? What does it represent for me? The answers are not always complicated. They are most times very simple. If I am true to my desires and answer what they are really calling for my choice will always be right. And, I will have what I want to have and be doing what I want to do.
Terry Bradford is known worldwide for his duet with Celine Dion and his work on numerous movies and television soundtracks. You can learn more by visiting
http://terrybradford.com