Don’t Compromise Yourself, You Are All You have Got!

The title for today’s post comes from a quote by Janis Joplin: Don’t compromise yourself. You are all you’ve got.

It comes after a hectic few days here where I have had to stand my ground in a couple of meetings, and then a meeting with a mentor yesterday!

My friend and I covered a fair bit of ground over lunch, talking about business and personal direction.

One of the things that he came out with was:

“Imagine if you died tomorrow, with stuff undone. How many thousands of people who have never read your writing will miss out?”

Another was: “You’re still alive, you haven’t fulfilled your major purpose in life”.

After dinner last night, I was sitting browsing my social media feeds when I saw this quote:

If you’re still alive, then you haven’t completed what you were put on earth to do.. Andy Andrews

And then this morning the Janis Joplin quote appeared as well.

Now, I don’t know about you, but when things like these start happening in succession, it means that I should take notice.

It is almost as if God is saying something.

Something like get off your butt and get moving.

Stop coasting, otherwise you won’t get it finished.

(And for the non religious types, it could be “the universe” saying it!)

I wrote this post about getting moving a little while back.

What I am suddenly realizing is that I have slipped back into taking it easy mode on a couple of fronts.

And I have also been compromising myself when it comes to priorities, putting myself second, third or even fourth at times to help others.

While this is all very noble, it doesn’t help me get to where I am going.

Another friend of mine tried to make the point a couple of years back by saying that on an airline flight, passengers are advised to put their own oxygen mask on first.

Otherwise rescuers might have two bodies to count.

Sounds pretty harsh, especially coming from years as a father and now grandfather.

And from a background in pastoral care.

But I guess that if I am ever going to get my books published, I’m gonna have to get moving!

It’s a long weekend here this week!

My grandson and I are going chasing trains.

Steam trains in fact. And taking lots of photos.

What are you up to this week?

What ever is happening, have a great weekend, and stay safe!