It is impossible to have it all. Impossible. No matter what anyone says it is impossible. People act like you can – they sell it to you in fashion, in homes, in cars, in movies, in books – they sell it to you because in those worlds of make believe it is possible. Here in reality though, it is impossible. The question is not how can I have it all but what is it worth to me? The answer to that question determines your next move.
I have had my car for 11 years now. It has been a decent car overall but with 225k miles it is getting more and more expensive to keep up with the repairs. I am also personally ready for a newer vehicle. Like most people I get tired of the same thing all the time. While I have enjoyed my car I am ready for something different, something new. Yet, even though I am ready for a newer vehicle for multiple reasons I will not be getting one soon for one reason – it is not worth it to me at the moment.
Having a newer vehicle would be awesome, I am not denying that nor am I denying my desire to have one. That desire, however, is not the only thing I wish to have. I have a business opportunity that if it plays out the way I believe it will I could have a whole fleet of new vehicles. I do not have enough means to invest in both so it is a decision on my part. Do I get a newer vehicle and forgo that business opportunity? Or do I keep my current car and hedge my bet on the business opportunity? It is impossible to have it all so I must choose one or the other.
We all have choices such as that. For some of us the choices are first world choices such as steak or chicken while for others they are more fundamental such as gas for the car or food on the table. I have been in both positions and because of such I know the first scenario is superficial while the second is super important. Yet, I also know that both scenarios have the same fundamental question – what is it worth to me? Do I want steak or chicken to eat, because I cannot afford both? Do I forgo food for one day, buy the gas to go to the job that will help buy food later? Or do I buy the food, not have the gas to go to work and possibly lose my job? Whatever the choice is the same question remains – what is it worth to me?
This choice, this question bothers us. It bothers us because it is counter to what we have been sold all our lives – that we can have it all. But we cannot. I say it again, we cannot have it all. Though I sound like a broken record, a CD with a scratch, (or in today’s world a corrupted MP3), this truth needs to break through. Truths are not always easy but in the end they are freeing. Once we acknowledge and accept the truth that we cannot have it all we are free from the illusion and burden that it produces. Once we throw off that burden of trying for it all, working for it all then we can really thrive.
Let us take hold of the realities of life. Let us embrace the fact we cannot have it all. Embrace it not because it is a hindrance but because it pushes us to answer the question that is always there – what is it worth to me? While I would like to invest in both a newer car and that business opportunity it is impossible. I have my question to answer the same as you. So, what are your choices, what do you have to decide between? What will your answer be to the question, what’s it worth to you? Only after answering that can you continue to your next move.
Attempt it. Chance it. Try it. Get to It!