Listening: The Secret to Living

When was the last time you listened to yourself?

When was the last time you asked yourself what story do I want my life to tell?

When was the last time you took action to live a life worth telling about?

I have spent the last few weeks checking out new greenways in my area.
It's funny how you can live somewhere for your whole life and never have the time to see what's around you.

Recently, on my Middle Tennessee greenway adventures, I stumbled upon an old family cemetery that was nestled along the public walking path.

I love cemeteries. They are places of calm and reflection for me, and each plot houses a multivolume library of stories, both told and untold.

With my discovery, I could not help myself but go in. I found the old weather wooden gate and eased it open to see the newest grave in the whole area was dated 1923.

I walked from grave to grave, wondering about the stories I was standing above.
That visit made me think, as I read headstones. I realized that there would be a point in all of our lives where we will be gone longer than we are here. Our time of influence is short, but our life of legacy is forever.

More than ever did I understand that our stories will be our key to immortality.

Questions began to flourish.
What contribution am I making?
What story do I want to live forever?
Am I living a good story?
Am I taking advantage of opportunities now?
Do I do enough stuff that scares me?

Then, I thought, why am I asking these questions now? I should be asking myself these questions every day because a life worth telling about is a daily practice. 

These questions have always been there, but I have failed to listen.
What questions are within you?

Ask yourself. 
When you ask, LISTEN! 

What is your answer, and what's your plan?

Living a life worth telling about requires action. You have to ask, and then you have to do.