At a certain point, you will (if you haven’t already) inevitably ponder questions like, “Is this all there is to life?” and, “What is the meaning of life?” or, “What is my life’s purpose?” There are good reasons for asking such questions. We realize – at least, subconsciously – that life on this Earth is finite. It is human nature to contemplate the “fullness” of our existence and whether the state of our life reflects its potential. We can only hope to not beat ourselves up too much over the process of doing so. We need to maintain a positive attitude even while asking such deep life questions, choosing to be confident that our best years are still ahead.
Life is full of upheaval and turbulence. Our fallible human nature often times doesn’t do so well with either one. Many of us constantly question, seek clarity, and dig for answers – only to find that fulfillment and happiness, besides being elusive, cannot be acquired through anything external. Despite this fact, so many of us are focused exclusively outward in search of fulfillment: a good job, lots of money, nice cars, fat bank accounts, the latest clothes, the finest jewelry, and so forth. It’s no wonder there are countless millions of people who, despite appearing “successful” to observers, are in fact quite miserable.
While we may get a bit more clarity as we reach adulthood, the “meaning and purpose thing” may still prove elusive – and that’s okay. Given the unpredictable nature that is life, there is no way to know for sure whether your best years are still ahead.
But there very well may be signs.
Here are three signs your best years are still ahead of you.
1. You are devoted to personal evolution
“Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” ~ George Bernard Shaw
Every single person who lives a purpose-driven life is committed to self-improvement and personal growth. If you make the commitment to improve every day, your best years may still be ahead of you. No one who commits to personal evolution – growth, discovery, and adventure – can possibly fail. When you grow from the inside, you assuredly make an impact on the outside. This is the law of cause-and-effect at work. If you’re growing, you are working to perfect your character, and both you and those around you benefit.
This may sound contradictory – but personal evolution can feel stifling. There are plenty of reasons for this, but the predominant one seems to be the external pressures of society. When you do anything considered outside the realm of what’s “normal” – y’know, the “college, marriage, house, kids, retire” thing – you may very well be hit with labels, few of which are flattering.
Eventually, you have to put the middle finger up and get on with being you. That’s personal evolution, and that’s progress. It’s believing that your best years are still ahead.
2. You are not (too) afraid of failure.
“Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail.” ~ Confucius
Each and every one of us has failed – and will continue to fail. The reason is quite simple: human beings are fallible creatures. We aren’t gods. Heck, most of us don’t even know what we really want. (That’s okay, too, by the way!)
When you think about it, failure isn’t even bad. Does it suck? Sure – at the time. But at the very least, failure can build character, and it provides an awesome learning opportunity. There’s value to be found in failure. Think of it: if you hate failure, what does that say about you? Instead, expect progress. Failure translates into value and growth! If you can answer “Yes!” to the question, “Am I learning and growing from my failures?” then you have nothing for which to be ashamed! Indeed, the best years of your life are still ahead of you!
3. You have a clear vision for your life.
“Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them – a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger.” ~ Muhammad Ali
A clear vision gives you something for which to aim, and it gives you the sort of drive necessary to see that dream through. Anyone who has ever achieved something great in life started out with a clear vision. Every. Single. One. The people we hear about on the regular, from Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk to Oprah Winfrey and Justin Trudeau, all have a vision about their life. They share an unshakeable belief in their destiny that brought them to where they are today.
A clear vision is one in which you can engage all five senses. It’s an Academy-award-worthy motion picture that resides between your ears, one you play repeatedly (meditation is fantastic for this, by the way). A clear vision opens your mind to the endless possibilities of the universe. Then, it sets your intentions and channels the energy necessary to see that vision through.
At some point, your clear vision becomes powerful to the point that nothing is able to deny you what’s yours. Your will is indomitable. Your spirit, unshakeable.
https://youtu.be/apVYj7spM1I
