“Beware of what you become in pursuit of what you want.” Lance Armstrong, Bernie Madoff, Barry Bonds, Al Capone, Judas. They stopped paying attention to who they were becoming. Who are you becoming? Are you paying attention?
Welcome back to Best Christmas Ever! Where we are exploring 28 Ways to Make this Your Best Christmas Ever!
#18 is… Pay attention to what is happening inside you and who you are becoming.
What do you want? Do you know? Are you clear? Focused? Obsessed? “Beware of what you become in pursuit of what you want.” These are the words of Jim Rohn. I remember the first time I heard this quote and how powerfully it struck me.
We want what we want because we believe it will make us happy. But if we become someone we don’t like in the process of getting what we want, all success and accomplishment is empty. There is no point becoming successful if you don’t like who you are once you reach your goal.
Lance Armstrong and Barry Bonds got all the accolades, but did they like who they became in pursuit of what they wanted?
Bernie Madoff got all the money, but did he like who he became?
Pablo Escobar and Al Capone had all the power, but did they like who they became in order to get there and stay there?
Success, fame, money, accomplishments, possessions, power. These are all tiny external realities compared to the enormity of not liking the person you became in order to get them. Too many people achieve what they thought would make them happy only to discover they are unhappy with themselves.
Nothing external can cure inner unhappiness.
Beware. It is such a powerful word. It means to be on one’s guard. We are on guard and wary of the things other people can do to us, but often it is the things we do to ourselves that cause the most harm.
Beware anything and anyone that entices you to compromise your virtue and values. It always begins with something small. Beware of situations that will require heroic virtue. Best not to test yourself in these ways. Beware of opportunities that cost more than money. Beware of pretending to be someone you are not. Beware of your own envy and covetousness.
Do you like who you have become? Do you like the person you are becoming? Are you setting off on an adventure to accomplish something?
“Beware of what you become in pursuit of what you want.” Take time each day to check in. Pay attention to what is happening inside you and who you are becoming.
Matthew Kelly
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