How far off do your big dreams seem?
Can you squint your eyes and just barely make out the silhouette in the distance?
Are you even on the journey toward those dreams? Well, as most of you know, I sure am.
Just about two years ago right now, I was signing up to attend the Counselor Training program at the home offices of Dave Ramsey’s Lampo Group Inc. in Nashville, Tennesee. Meeting Dave and becoming a Financial Fitness Coach was a celebration to cap off the reaching of my goal of complete personal debt freedom. At that time, I didn’t know that it was only a landmark on my way much further, much deeper down the rabbit hole, than I’d ever expected it to be.
Feel free to scroll back in time, through pages of this blog, and my old roadtrip blog, if you’re just now catching up, and want to read how we got to this point today.
And where am I at on the journey today?
Good Question.
I am smack dab in the same place that Sarah found herself after she had entered the Labyrinth. With a rescue on her mind, and optimism in her heart, she had bravely gone through the doors of the ominous maze. Ready for it’s puzzles, and with the 13 hour countdown on, she was determined to save her baby brother from the Goblin King!
Once locked inside, the path is narrow and high-walled. It looks the same in both directions, and she picks one. Desolate and overgrown, she starts with a jog and jumps the dead branches and broken blocks, pushing further and further down the path. The horizon shows no sign of change however, and the more she runs, the more it seems that there is no place to turn, and she’s made a big mistake…
I can’t say that this is the first time, I’ve had these feelings, in fact I’ve had tons of hints lately, that opportunities are within my reach, and as they slip away, I am reminded that the truth may be different than it seems.
Last weekend, I threw in the movie, The Labyrinth, into the DVD player, just for fun while working around the house. I was pleasantly surprised as I saw Sarah get discouraged, and receive the words and guidance she needed. It was the same guidance I need at times. And it came from a worm.
(check out the clip here)
Just when she is sure that there are no openings or turns and the path just goes on and on forever, the little wise Worm, laughs and tells her, “Course there is! The’re all over the place, You just ain’t lookin’ right!” and in fact, there was an opening right across from where she had given up.
It was right in front of her face.
Even as I know this truth to apply in my own life, I have become blind to opportunities and need this profound reminder from one of Jim Henson’s little creations, to change the way I’m lookin’.
Where in your journey do you see little opportunity, or none at all to deviate from the path ahead? Do you get frustrated that it feels you’re not getting closer to your goals, but just going on and on, without a change of scenery? Worse yet, have the narrow walls become so comfortable and safe, that it feels like this place is home, and it “is what it is”, and we’ve lost hope of ever pursuing a new challenge?
I believe there is a big message from this little guy, when he says there are openings all over the place, I just feel in my gut, that he’s right. We do have opportunity all around us. My coaches are helping me to see that, and encouraging my confidence to try to walk through walls.
Although, luckily for me, my coaches ask me where I want to go, so the advice they give, can get me directly to the right places. Yes the worm was wise, but not as thorough as he coulda’ been, and Sarah could’ve asked a few more questions too 🙂
As I coach others, and sincerely work with their needs, of their journey, I can honestly say, that I care about their success. I know what it’s like to feel frustrated and out of energy, because I’ve been there too. A journey of real transformation in anyone’s life, will have moments like this, and let’s hope we’re willing to change our perspectives, adjust our vision, and try things that seem impossible, for therein lies the answers.
Just ask Sarah, eventually, she did make it to the castle, she did rescue her baby brother. She found out how tough she really was and made a bunch of new friends along the way.
Thanks for being here this week 🙂
Sincerely,
Aaron Nichols
PS: one more little scene I liked:Â False Alarms
First Statue: Don’t go on…
Second Statue: Go back, while you still can…
Third Statue: This is not the way…
Fourth Statue: Take heed, and go no further…
Fifth Statue: Beware, beware…
Sixth Statue: Soon it will be too late…
Hoggle: Ah, don’t pay any attention to them, they’re just false alarms. You get a lot of them in the Labyrinth, especially when you’re on the right track.Â