Life, it seems to me, is not a spectator sport. It is not something that happens to us while we sit on the sidelines.
Just the opposite: Life is something we are meant to participate in fully. Even more, it is something we will never fully appreciate or make the most of until we engage our whole selves in it.
But, too often, we withdraw. Or at the very least, we find ourselves waiting—waiting for the right moment, the right opportunity, the perfect circumstances. We convince ourselves that we’ll take action when things align just right. But here’s the reality: life doesn’t wait for us. The days and hours keep ticking by.
If there’s something you’ve always wanted to do, now is the time to do it.
We all have dreams, ambitions, and ideas about the kind of life we want to live. Maybe it’s a passion you’ve been neglecting, a project you’ve always wanted to start, or a cause you’ve felt drawn to. Whatever it is, it’s time to stop waiting and start doing. There’s no perfect time and there’s no guarantee that things will fall into place later. You could spend your life on the sidelines.
The only thing we can do and can control is that we show up. We take a step, starting with where we are, what we have, and what we know. Jump while you can.
Other times, we sit on the sidelines by placing blame on ourselves, other people, or even society for the things we don’t like about our lives. Again, we fall into the trap of letting life happen to us, rather than getting actively involved in changing our lives for the better—and the world for the better as well.
When I conducted my survey research for Things That Matter, one of the most heart-breaking statistics I discovered is that “62% of people believe their past mistakes are holding them back from achieving the future they’d like to have.” Even more heart-breaking, “55% of people say that ‘wrongs committed against me’ are holding them back from achieving the future they’d like to have.”
No doubt, there are great mistakes and evils that are committed in this world—and some of them were directly committed against you. I am so sorry to know that.
It is easy to point fingers at others or your past self and blame them for the current condition of your life. And I’m not saying it’s going to be easy to overcome that past hurt and pain that exists in your life. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be active in confronting it and working to overcome it.
The responsibility for action is yours, and it’s yours alone. No one else is going to live your life for you. If we ever want to see change, whether in our own lives or in the world around us, we have to be people of action and activity. We are the ones to make it happen.
I think in our world today, it is easy to be a spectator. We can spend hours and hours watching television series and never reach the end of available programming. We can scroll 24 hours/day on social media, we can watch events unfold and talking heads endlessly on news channels, or find another video game to play on our phones or consoles.
But if we want to make a difference—whether in our personal lives, in our communities, or in the world—we need to get involved. It’s not enough to wish things were different or to hope that someone (or the government) will step up to bring about the change we desire. We are the ones who need to act!
If you see a change that needs to happen in your life, you are the only one that can accomplish that. If you see an unhealthy habit in your life, it’s up to you to change it. If you don’t like your clutter, your job, your finances, your relationships, or the current trajectory of your life, it’s up to you to make the change.
Equally so, when you see a need in the world, don’t assume someone else will handle it. Whether it’s standing up for justice, lending a helping hand, or supporting a cause you care about, don’t just sit back and wait for others to take the lead. Each of us has something to offer. We all have unique talents, passions, and experiences that shape how we can contribute. But none of that matters unless we choose to step forward and get involved.
The truth is, life is happening right now. 1,440 minutes are going to pass today—whether you use them for good or merely let them pass by is up to you.
Every day you are alive is another opportunity to make a difference, to move closer to the life we want to live, and to contribute something meaningful to the world around us. So don’t let this one go wasted.
Minimalism has helped me realize this truth more clearly. By owning less, I’ve freed up time, energy, and resources to focus on what matters. I’ve been able to see how much of my life was being wasted on foolish pursuits and readjust accordingly.
But minimalism isn’t my greatest goal—it’s the tool. It’s a way to remove the distractions that keep us from living fully. When we let go of what doesn’t matter, we’re able to focus more on what does. And that’s where the real work begins.
Life is not meant to be observed. It’s meant to be lived. So don’t wait for tomorrow or for someone else to give you permission. Get involved, take action, and make the most of the one life you’ve been given.