Leaving the Obscure Life

Could it be that none of us are sure of what are priorities are until those alleged loyalties are tested against attractive alternatives? We draw lines in the sand on an infinitesimal number of things from ideologies, to sports teams to choices of employment.

On the subject, a friend from the gym demonstrated his priority when he stayed at home to help his son with his homework instead of meeting me at the gym at a designated time recently. Can I say that the dude made my day when he told me why he was late? As soon as I got the chance, I “dapped” him up (shook his hand in that familiar way that homeboys do. It’s kind of a half hug half hand shake.). I told him he made the right choice staying home to help the little guy get down on his studies.

But prioritizing becomes a difficult science when opportunities play on your passions. You’re drawn to your interests; make no mistake about that. But interests are not always in line with purpose. Interests can lead you to hobbies or service, to philanthropy or hedonism and to failure or success. Let a group, an organization, a visionary spot your talent and acute loyalties and you’re a prime candidate for a conflict between real priorities and time wasters. Time wasters we can ill afford no matter our age but it’s the naivete that convinces us otherwise.

Like you, I’ve got choices to make this year about which activities deserve my time. They range from doctoral research to completing a bonafide curriculum that I can put in the hands of coaches for the betterment of their young men and women. This range is my clear priority but am I tempted to coach teams, lock down a steady gig that requires little to know exploration and/or live life totally exempted from responsibility to kids who grew up in places like South Los Angeles the way I did? Absolutely I am. But prioritization is an invitation as much for you as it is for me to focus life for the sake of availing oneself to what’s bigger. Passions help direct us but I’m learning that purpose and passion must be reconciled if we’re to make life about more than daily news and trends. Who’s down to ride with me and discover the priorities you were meant to have for the sake of what you were meant to do?