I Choose

I’m studying a book I’ve had for years: Writing Life Stories, by Bill Roorbach, with Kirsten Keckler Ph.D. I am struck by Bill Roorbach’s endearing personality, which shines through every line. He is helpful, wry, funny, and compassionately understanding of the aspiring writer. His book is not only a pleasure to read but is packed with wisdom. So why did I never apply myself to reading it? Life! Life in all its busyness can rob us of the best that is always there waiting for us to choose it. But I realize more than ever that a choice for something of importance implies excluding much else that is mere filler and froth. How distracting is the foam on the sand of my life—the rabbit holes of Facebook and Google are so addictive. But I realize that I cannot waste precious time and that I need self-control to avoid these tempting trapdoors. If not, they will win the battle for my time and attention.

God, I’ve seen mention of self-control in the Bible as a fruit of the Spirit(Galatians 5:22-25). It is both a fruit that grows inwardly and must be reached for and plucked. I want it. I will seek after it, strive for it. Go after it. God help me choose to live out the inner determination in conscious, moment-by-moment discipline and self-control. Because “wasting time” has a more significant implication at 71 than at 17.

“Talent alone won’t make you a success. Neither will being in the right place at the right time, unless you are ready. The most important question is: Are you ready?”

Johnny Carson, quoted by Bill Roorbach

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