Be Better

“Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don't complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don't bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality. Wake Up and Live!”

― Bob Marley

Love this quote.

Actually, as I sit here reading multiple quotes by this genius man, I love most of his words.

Kind of my same feelings toward Jack Kerouac.

But anyways, this is more about my own legacy than that of others.

I have decided that my new guideline, my new words to live by, are "BE BETTER" (thus, the title of this post).

It's funny, I have always used these words to motivate my son in all aspects of life.

In school, it was used to help him see that studying and learning puts him ahead of the rest of the class.

In football, it was used to drive him to practice harder, longer, listen to suggestions.

In life, he's been directed to be better and live so that people miss you when you're not around.

I've always told him, "Whatever you do, be better".
I hadn't thought to turn this advice on myself until very recently.

Lately, I've noticed something about myself.

There is room for improvement.

Not that I thought of myself as perfect. Close, but...

Lately, I've been less than sunny.

Less ambitious, less driven than I like to see myself as.

And for a while there, I just put up with it. 

Along with all the other negativity that comes with that kind of demeanor.

Recently, I found myself in such a rut, and out of nowhere,

"Be Better"

 flashed in my head an I was able to push though it and come out of the other side successful.  

Wow.

It was powerful for me.

I tried it again the next day and was again able to triumph.

It stifles my lazy, it quells the doubt.

It's amazing what a small shift in mindset can do for your overall outlook.

It's funny.

One day I'm slumming through motions, on auto-pilot and nothing in my head.

Today, I'm driven again.

I have viable thoughts and goals.

I have a handle on my insecurities and faults, and am more apt to deny them attention.

Still working on the trust aspects.

Have had a few breeches in that area as of late.

Not blatant lies, but some of the shiny cloak is beginning to chip, and I'm not comfortable with what is being reveled.

On that, I feel like my new mentality is preparing me for what I may need to deal with.

I can face it.

I can do this.

I can be better.