The Story of My Life (yet to be written)

If you read part one in this short series, you know that I have been a whole lotta talk and very little action (read about here). A behavior that has largely been the source of disappointment and unfulfilled potential.

And, if you read part two (read it here), then you know that the past does not equal the future and my story can be changed right now with altered behavior.

That brings us to the story of my life that has yet to be written.

Naturally my old friend Ebeneezer Scrooge comes to mind.

As you may, or may not, know, my all-time favorite book is A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. I read it twice every year (in June and December).

What you probably don’t know is that A Christmas Carol is one of the best personal development books ever written. It’s packed full of wisdom and practical advice for living an effective life. I glean some new insight with every trip through it’s pages.

I can narrow my favorite part of the book down to one chill inducing passage. In the scene, and toward the end of the story, Ebeneezer Scrooge finds himself with the Ghost of Christmas yet to Come in the churchyard –

The Spirit stood among the graves, and pointed down to One. He advanced towards it trembling. The Phantom was exactly as it had been, but he dreaded that he saw new meaning in its solemn shape

“Before I draw nearer to that stone to which you point,” said Scrooge, “answer me one question. Are these the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they shadows of things that May be, only?”

Still the Ghost pointed downward to the grave by which it stood.

“Men’s courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if persevered in, they must lead,” said Scrooge. “But if the courses be departed from, the ends will change. Say it is thus with what you show me.”

The Spirit was immovable as ever.

Scrooge crept towards it, trembling as he went; and following the finger, read upon the stone of the neglected grave his own name, EBENEZER SCROOGE.

Just as Scrooge’s behavior had brought him to this dark end – so has my behavior brought me to the less than satisfactory place where I am today. And just as Scrooge realized that departing from his previous courses must lead to different ends – so must my ends be changed with an altered course as well.

Those ends, dear friends, are yet to be written. And I am their author.

Advertisement