Goals...time to get some

When a person is young they normally have lots of goals.  Even if they are as simple as getting out of their parents house or getting a car. 

So then you do those things and you get new goals.  Start a career, get married, get a house, have some kids.

Then you do that.  But what comes after that?  All the goals before were pretty big steps in life. After you've obtained those goals what really compares to the greatness you've already accomplished?

Our counselor said that it is important to have several obtainable goals in each area of your life all the time and talk about them.  Then when you meet a goal you reassess your situation and make new goals and on and on the cycle continues.

I can see why goals are important.  Without them you don't really know which direction to go or which path to take. It can leave you feeling down. In a rut. No where to go. I believe that is why so many people in a situation similar to mine feel the way they do about their lives. Just doing what they are supposed to do each day but all the while not really knowing why exactly they are doing it.

Our maybe they see some long distance goal like retire in 30 years, get the kids out of the house in 18 years, going to heaven in God knows how many years.

But what are you striving for today? Sure those things are attainable but 30 years or longer is a long time to wait for a pay off. Do we as humans really have the endurance to go that long running on just the idea that maybe one day something will happen?

Those are the big picture goals that really influence our commitments. But I do believe we need small goals to reach for and meet to build our character and happiness and sense of self until we hit those big pay off moments.

Like what?

Well, I'm pretty sure it is not stuff. I did this for a while before I had kids.  What I ended up with was new stuff I was bored with and wanting more with maxed out credit cards.

And I'm pretty sure it isn't vacations cause when you get back all your responsibilities are there waiting on you.

In observing people I've noticed that there is a trend to typical goals.  Such as developing a side business,  getting corrective surgery,  partaking in a sport or excercise, taking up hobbies, getting involved with a group or organization, taking on a new career, growing a family or going back to school.

But all of these things are really just stuff to enjoy while taking up time to help make the days go by more quickly to reach those big far off goals.

When you really think about it a person can't really make plans for very much. Our lives are at the hands of our master. And while we may hope to accomplish certain goals it isn't really up to us whether or not we accomplish those goals unless it is a goal that has been directed to us by God.

Considering this I decided to check the handbook of life before I set any goals of my own and here it what it says:

So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him.
2 Corinthians 5:9 NLT

so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!
Philippians 3:11 NLT

Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy.
1 Corinthians 14:1 NLT

Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 NLT

Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.
Galatians 1:10 NLT

So stay tuned while I am deciding what goals I need to be setting. In the meantime check out some of my earlier, funnier, less depressing posts to tie you over while I suffering through my small mental meltdown.