Sunday, February 12, 2012

On what life owes - or doesn't owe - us

“Life's under no obligation to give us what we expect.”
Margaret Mitchell
These wise words ring so much more strongly in light of the modern assumption among some young 'uns that the world somehow owes them something. You can see it in the words that some choose to use:
"They should..."
"I deserve..."
"That's not fair..."
Well, here's a news flash: Life owes us nothing. It's up to us to squeeze the most out of our time here. And if life doesn't serve it up on a platter, it's perfectly acceptable for us to go out and seek what we feel we deserve. Active, not passive. No one's fault but our own if we fail to drive our own destiny.

Your turn: How do you get what you want most out of life?

5 comments:

Kalei's Best Friend said...

I get the most out of life by not taking things, people, opportunity for granted... Have u noticed how some people feel entitled? some folks live beyond their means- I've seen it.. Needing to live in that certain zip code, house, cars, boats.. sad... I told my kids that having a driver's license is a 'privilege' not a given.

Mimi Lenox said...

I call it "the age of entitlement"....young people believe the world owes them everything. People who have lived awhile know this is not true. You have to make your own fair" and your destiny.

That being said, I do believe in the infinite wisdom of karma aka The Golden Rule. People usually figure this out a little late in life!

When people don't respect the earth, each other, the environment, our collective global issues, even our own families and relationships..... there is not much room left for personal success.

I find that the more I attempt to give, the more satisfied and content I am. All else seems to fall in place when I am not the center of my own universe.

(said The Queen of imaginary Bloggingham Palace. LOL)

that guy said...

I have some friends that still believe life owes them something.

I see them struggle with the simplest or smallest setbacks, because they feel entitled. This drives me insane.

i agree with Mimi and KBF...

i try to take nothing for granted, but am far from perfect, but focus on the actual severity of the situation.

if no one is dying, then most of the time, i try to keep things in perspective.

the problem is i also am a hot headed red head...

life owes us only the chance to live another day, but can also take it away with no provocation.

Peg Cherre said...

I learned, the hard way, of course, that life's too short. My largest act was to quit a "great" job that I hated, one that no one leaves until it's time to retire, except me. I took a part-time job that would barely pay the bills and started a small business creating things that made me happy. Initially jewelry, now I spend all my time weaving.

And, for the last 6 months, playing grandma to my sweet grandson. It doesn't get better than that!

Unknown said...

This is a fortuitous post, because Dr. Buscaglia's "If you don't like the scene you're in, change it" has been stuck in my mind.