Right now

I like Self-Help books. I’ve read a bunch of them.  And you want to know how many of them have changed my life?

Zero.

Not because they’re bad books. Some of them are full of brilliant advice.  No, they haven’t changed my life because a book CAN’T change my life. Only I can. All the wisdom in the world is useless unless you act on it.

Here’s the Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition of the word “Act”

a : the doing of a thing : deed

Notice the word “doing”?  That means to move — to get busy.

I had an epiphany while running out on the track this morning.  Life is like chess, not checkers.  Every move you make opens you up to new possibilities. I used to think you just made a move and moved on to the next one. No. You make your move and you suddenly are surrounded with lots more moves.

I’ve been frozen in fear the last three years as life changed around me.  It’s very easy to blame others for some of the things that have happened — but let’s be very honest: It’s my fault.  Yup. Every bad thing that has happened to me is 100% my fault.

Why? Well, for the record, I’m not crazy.  I’ll admit that I’m not pleased about some of the things that have happened.  Life sucks and can be unfair sometimes. But instead of sitting around being pissed about it, I should have gotten busy. I should have acted more on what I was presented with. I should have got moving. Life is like chess, not checkers. Every move would have opened up new possibilities.  If I had moved more, I’d have been blessed with more opportunities.

There’s a great scene in Band of Brothers when Easy Company is tasked with taking the town of Foy, Belgium.  They are commanded by a particularly inept officer named Lt. Dyke who freezes during the battle.  His lack of action strands his men in the open, causing them to take heavy casualties.  But then Lieutenant Ronald C. Speirs is ordered to take over  — he gets moving.  He charges into battle, his men follow and soon the battle is won. He chose to move. And his choice made the difference.

I’m not saying charge into stupid situations.  Take calculated risks. But take them. Don’t ponder them to death. Don’t freeze from worry.  Don’t freeze from fear.

I have the talent. You do, too.

Be the servant who makes the most of the talents he was in trusted with. Act on what you’ve been given. You’ll be amazed at how many blessings come your way. (and when they do, act on them, too.)

I’m committed to working harder, to using my talents in new and exciting ways.  This is my time to make hay. I have three sons and a wife who need me to make miracles happen. It’s time for me to act.

Right now.