Fall in Love … With Your Future

First posted on 01-09-2008

By: Dr. Mark Peterson Extension Professor-Community Development (501) 671-2253

As we begin a new year, it is natural to think about the opportunities before us. I know of no better way than to review “Fall in Love With Your Future,” a small booklet that is so fresh, so inspiring, it just lights my fire. Written by Ron and Mary Beshear and available from Successories.com, “Fall in Love With Your Future,” describes principles that apply to us as individuals, to organizations and to communities. Here are some highlights:

“We all make mistakes and experience disappointment. Sometimes our biggest regret is that we can’t undo the past. It’s like concrete that has hardened and can’t be reshaped. That’s why the future offers such hope. No matter how old we are, each new day stretches before us like wet cement … waiting for the imprint we give it. Once we understand and fall in love with our future, it’s possible that the world around us will never be the same.”

Develop a vision that fits you. The key is to develop a vision that fits your unique strengths and gifts – a future you can have a passion for.

Stretch yourself now to soar later. If we read good books, choose heroic models, associate with virtuous people, and train ourselves to do even the smallest things the right way, we open the door to more meaningful futures.

Think feedback, not failure. People ready to fall in love with their futures are
willing to see disappointing outcomes as feedback, not failure. They merely use the information to make finer distinctions about future action.

Exercise personal power. The people who are most excited about their future are
those who exercise their own personal power. They believe they have the ability to evaluate, to make good choices, and to make a worthy contribution.

Recognize who you can become. If you can get a glimpse of yourself, of who you
really are, and what it is you bring to the planet in a historical sense, the world will never be the same.

Laugh often. If you want to fall in love with your future, put at least five good opportunities to laugh into each day.

Walk in gratitude. Author Melody Beattie states: “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of
life. It turns what we have into enough and more … It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home.”

Strengthen family relationships. If you want to fall in love with your future, work on strengthening your most important relationships – those at home.
Cultivate friendships. We develop these important emotional networks by finding things in common with others, showing interest in their lives, celebrating their victories, doing favors, being transparent about ourselves, and showing people we need them.

Learn the exhilaration of serving. If we want to leave behind a legacy we’ll always
be proud of, service to others is the key. Because, the truth is, we achieve our dreams when we help others achieve their dreams. Emmett Fox states: “If you could only love enough, you’d be the most powerful person in the world.”