Fear makes us waste time worrying and makes us miss blessings. We can focus on all the things we can't accomplish or do for ourselves and count all the failures we've had while trying to live for others. None of this will help you get where you want to go. Oh, wait. You don't know where you want to go and have have no idea how to get there. Recently, Actor Matthew McConaughey presented his perspective on how to live and not stay stuck in a constant state of contemplation when he declined to run for Governor of Texas;
“What am I going to do? I’m going to continue to work and invest the bounty I have by supporting entrepreneurs, businesses, and foundations that I believe are leaders, establishments that I believe are creating pathways for people to succeed in life, organizations that have a mission to serve and build trust, while also generating prosperity,” he concluded. “That’s the American dream. And politicians, the good ones can help us get to where we need to go, yeah. But let’s be clear, they can’t do anything for us unless we choose to do for ourselves.”
When you break down what he said he is going to do personally, his words provide 10 simple steps for taking action:
Make a decision, "I'm going to..."
Work
Invest in others
Support others
Believe in others
Serve others
Build up others
Help others prosper
Support "the good" politicians
He concludes this list by saying, "That's the American Dream".
McConaughey's foundational statement is one most people miss,
10. "But let's be clear, they [politicians] can't do anything for us unless we choose to do for ourselves."
If you want a blessed life, you must work for it. Blessings are not something you deserve they are earned. You have to take action for there to be a reaction, and when you do nothing, nothing is all you'll get. If you do a little, you'll get a little. If you do more, you'll get more. It's called the "Return on Investment" and every investment begins with a decision.
"Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!
Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.”
And God granted his request."
1 Chronicles 4:10