Do Hard Things!
I remember the day I finished the last test in my college career. I walked out of the classroom at 8:32pm and sat on the massive steps of the university library. I opened my journal and made a commitment to carefully choose what I would commit to, and to put 100% into those things. I had given up TV, video games, and other such things 7 or 8 years prior. But I still felt like I was spinning my wheels because I was pursuing too many things. On that day I made a list of some hard things I was going to commit too, and I was going to pursue them 100%. It’s been a few years since then and I can’t describe how exciting every day has been! Those goals I set are still in place, and I am still pursing them. To God’s glory it just gets better.
One of the biggest frustrations in my life is the apathy of other people. You only have one life to live, and that makes every day more exciting than the last. Every person is given talent and potential. Many have far more than me and some have less. But we are each given the ability to excel with those talents or waste them.
I know different people have different things they enjoy for a release after a lot of work, so I’m not condemning the following entirely. But it literally makes my skin crawl with frustration when I hear how many hours some people spend watching TV, playing video games, or aimlessly surfing the web. Life has so much potential, is so exciting, and new accomplishments are so exhilarating. I just can’t personally comprehend why anyone would actively choose to forgo that joy and waste their time and potential. The thrill of setting new goals beyond what you can do, struggling through the difficulties and either failing after giving 100%, or accomplishing them is so stimulating. Regardless of whether you accomplished your goal you can look back knowing you put your very best into it and grew from the experience.
Last week I read a new book which I had heard rumor of over the past year or so. It’s called Do Hard Things and it’s written by teenage authors Alex & Brett Harris. They not only expose the myth of adolescence, but give dozens of examples of teenagers who did some pretty incredible things at very young ages. It was a great encouragement and in many ways echoed a heart cry I feel inside of me. The book is aimed at teens to encourage them to fight the low expectations our society has laid on them. But I think the book is applicable to anyone living in a world of apathy.
As many of you know I work with the High School youth group at my church and have a group of nine HS guys I get to meet with each week. After reading this book I wished I had read it and talked about it with someone when I was in HS. It’s a great jump start for life and spiritual growth. All said, I was hoping to be able to give this book to each of the guys and in my group. But instead of purchasing them I thought I would throw it out there to all of you. If you have this book and would like to either donate it or loan it to one of my guys for a few months PLEASE fill out the form and let me know. you could either mail it to me, and if you’re in the area we could figure out a way to touch base. So far I have two copies.
If you have a book you would like to loan or donate send me some info here!
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March 8th, 2010 at 5:52 am
I once was asked what my most hated vice in life was, and after some consideration and explanation, I came to respond with this answer: Vanity. The thief of glory and all glorious things.
I am driven by the same wind you describe =).
March 10th, 2010 at 6:19 am
I’m with you, Lukas. I want to read that book, now. Wish I had in my teenage years. I’m sorry I don’t have a copy to give you. But it sounds like a good book to promote where I live as well. Thank you for that.
March 24th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
[...] some of the High School guys from the youth group at my church. We have been going through the book “Do Hard Things”, and this evening we were talking about stepping outside your comfort zone to undertake new hard [...]