How A Switchfoot Song Changed My Life (And Could Yours)

What would you like more of in your life? Take a moment and think of a few things right now.

What would you like less of in your life? Take another handful of seconds and think of a few of these.

What is one step could you take--this week--to live out one thing on your "more" list? Seriously--what's a specific action you could take? Don't allow yourself to be vague.

Also, what's one step could you take--this week--to address one of the items on your "less" list? Again--what is the specific action you could take? Thinking of a tangible action makes a huge difference, so think through your list until you can identify a real possibility.

Now think about your calendar for this week. When could you do one of those steps? If not this week, could you make it happen next week? When--exactly when--could you take at least one of those steps?

Almost everyone I've talked about this in person can answer those questions in a few minutes. We all know what we want more of and less of and with a little thought can figure out how to take a step in that direction.

But the bigger question is: Why aren't you doing it?

Why are you hesitating? You can quickly come up with a change or two you want in your life. So what's keeping you from taking these steps? In this next week, why not do more than think about your ideal life? Why not live it--or at least one step closer to it?

Switchfoot has a song about this that changed my life. "This Is Your Life" has these lines:

Today is all you've got now. Today is all you'll ever have.

Don't close your eyes. Don't close your eyes.

This is your life. Are you who you want to be?

When I first heard their song, I dreamed about being an author--someday. I dreamed about mentoring others--someday. I dreamed about being in shape again--someday. I dreamed about playing more strategy board games--someday. I dreamed about being more spiritually wise--someday.

And (I'll never forget, driving in my car) this song pierced right to my soul and made me realize that "someday" would never come. That if I wanted to write--or be fit or pursue God--I needed to do it today. I realized that who I was came out of today, not what I hoped I'd do someday.

Don't wait for "someday" to start living your exceptional life. Do something now to move a little closer. Because today is all you'll every have--a series of todays.

If you want to listen to the song, here it is. Warning: it could change your life, too.