Most of us don’t realize it, but we’ve owe a debt. Each of us has duties and responsibilities to tend to.
You’ve got one life to live, and it’s important to squeeze as much out of it as you can. While uncertain, you could live well into your 100’s. In fact, there are people being born today who could live to 150 years old.
To put your life into perspective, the Earth is about 4.5 billion years old. Human beings have been around for over 200,000 years, and over 117 billion of us have been born during that time. The odds of you being born were around 1 in 400 trillion. Those are big numbers that are difficult to get your head and arms around.
Perspective is one of the most important and valuable tools we humans have. But like any tool, it’s only valuable if you know how to use it.
Some people will never learn its value, nor put it to use in their lives. These people are doomed to have a narrow and limited existence, with only themselves at the center.
Those who recognize its immense value and become skilled users can recognize and gain a deep sense and understanding of their place in the world. They can see well beyond the bridge of their nose, to be grateful for their existence and mindful of their duty and responsibility.
And it’s that duty and responsibility I want to talk about. Because the thing is- you owe.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Let’s get started.
Each of us owes a debt
“Me? What debt do I owe?”
You are standing on the shoulders of giants
Each of us benefits from the hard work and sacrifices of those who came before us. We benefit from the medical, technological and countless other breakthroughs made by doctors, scientists, and engineers. We enjoy freedoms paid for by the blood of the soldiers who fought and died to give it to us. Generations of moms, dads, grandmas and grandpas sacrificed so their kids lives could be better than theirs.
You are fortunate
Right now, people are suffering through poverty, disease, racism, sexism, ageism, war and terrorism, pollution, animal abuse, hate, slavery, oppression, natural disasters, child labor, murder, rape, and violence to name a few awful things.
You are wealthy
Roughly half the Earth’s population lives on less than $5 a day.
You are privileged
That you’re reading this is evidence of that.
Do you feel guilty? Fine. I’m going to tell you how you make restitution.
Do you feel grateful? Fine. This is how you pay it forward.
Do you feel behind? Fine. Do what I suggest and you’ll get on the track.
Do you feel like a victim? Fine. Cultivate your perspective and you can reframe and reclaim your power.
Whatever or however you feel is fine. What’s true is that we all owe. Every single one of us.
Paying your debt
You have a duty to make good on the debt you owe. Put another way, you have a moral obligation. Sure, you can shirk your duty, many do. But if you’re the kind of person who recognizes your place in the world, you recognize that to whom much is given, much is required.
Next, you accept the responsibility. Responsibility is the fulfillment of your moral obligation. It means doing your part by doing your best. It’s working every day to become the best possible version of yourself and striving to reach your ultimate potential.
Doing hard things
Life is hard. No one feels like getting up and going to work every day.
All things that are worthwhile are difficult. Very few things of value are easy. Think about the things you value most in the world; did you come by them easily? Or did were they won through hard work?
The more top of mind you can keep your debt, the better. Feeling unmotivated or lazy? Remember who you owe. Remember what you owe. Remind yourself of your duty and get to work fulfilling your responsibility.
For those who cannot
There are countless billions of people who would quickly and happily trade places with you right now. That’s the God’s honest truth. Many were born in a different country, many have physical or mental limitations, many died before they were supposed to.
You owe them as well- you owe your best to those who cannot.
Act with urgency. Work every day to get closer to your ultimate potential. Do hard things.
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