Why Strive?

So on a long ride on the Interstate today, the wife and I were discussing our favorite subject.  No, it's not vacation, or wealth, not the lasted fad, and definitely not entertainment.  We were discussing our Sons.  While we revel in the praise and complements given to our Sons, we do not take their rearing lightly.  We are constantly course correcting, and adjusting, and fine tuning our leadership of them to make sure we make the two finest young men possible.  Today's discussion centered around that moment when a young person realizes that if he strives toward a goal he can claim it as his own, it can change his whole approach to life.  It's really the moment when they take goals and stand on their own two feet.

It got me to thinking about what our society teaches, not just kids, but everyone.  Presidents don't use speeches to impel Americans to strive to a lofty goal anymore.  Kennedy whipped a nation into a straight line to strive to land a man on the moon.  Reagan united a country to strive to stop Communism from swallowing Democracy around the world.  It seems the last two decades, our leaders have actually implored us to sit back and let the government make your life better.  Schools now teach kids to study only long enough to pass the required test.  Anymore would be a waste?  Television now says that interesting story writing and plot are not necessary.  We just get a bunch of people, jam them on some set, and call it reality TV.  No striving to teach a story or moral in your sixty minute allotment.  Just strangers reacting to each other.

Don't get me wrong, I know life can get tedious at times.  But I've found without something to strive for, you usually fall into idleness at best.  Not only do kids need goals set for them, but adults should strive to improve themselves in some way shape or form.  What was the last goal you set for yourself?  And no, I'm not talking about meaningless New Year's resolutions.  I'm talking about something to give you focus and purpose.  Without a goal to strive for, we just living life like those reality TV stars.  Just waiting for a reaction from someone so we can react back.

Is that what you want on your tombstone?  "He lies a man who reacted with the best of them".  I would hope you goal is to never settle, and always take every opportunity to improve yourself.