What Does It Mean To Think Outside The Box?

Time is valuable and nonrenewable. Think, decide and then create an entirely new path, unique to yourself, and forge through the jungle of life. It is a journey, not a destination.

The world is a comprehensive system. Without realizing it, many have been conditioned from an early age into adulthood to follow unwritten generally acceptable universal standards; to obediently conform to and restrict our imagination within the scheme and never question whether there is something more than what the herd is heading to in life. It is easier to heedlessly sit back and permit life to happen to us.

It is normal to start asking questions and try our very best to explain why and how certain events, situations and outcomes come to being only, and I repeat only, when we go through life-changing challenges ourselves or from witnessing other's experience and life tragedies.

The Past

The early period of our lives are now only memories. Whether these are good or bad does not matter. They are sealed and locked away in the universe of history. They cannot be changed.

So, if we cannot modify the past, what can we do?

We can reflect on past experiences to study them with an aim to reassess what decisions were made and the activities we put into action that produced the history that we had. Congratulations if your past had been great. The positive foundation can give you a head-start and boost you further in life within your given time on earth. Otherwise, it is critical that we (usually the majority) sit down and seriously think about not repeating the same thoughts, words and actions that crafted an unproductive past.

History must be employed as a guide and compass vital to your journey - your life!

The Present

The greatest endowment we have is the present. It connects us into the future and links us with our history. It is said that "Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present." Indeed, it is a gift and a very powerful one when applied purposefully.

Living in the present is important because:

1. We can design a future today; and
2. We can decide and choose to leave behind a legacy.

There is a saying that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. If we choose to learn from our past, we can start to think, talk and do things differently today to create a future we want. Not a future that is pushed down our throat and we ignorantly swallow (with a smile). Not a future that limits, confines and/or restricts one's unique potential and value in this world. Thinking differently and disrupting the norm does not mean that we plan and/or participate in illegal activities that will infringe on the rights or harm and disturb our fellow humans peace and security. Respect for one and other must prevail, regardless, because we are all citizens of a global village. We must all strive to add value to humankind in our own distinctive ways. It starts in the present. It starts now.

The present gives us the opportunity and the challenge to leave behind positive memories and knowledge for the next generation. It is impossible to alter history but right now we have the choice to dictate a future we hope for and create a legacy for future generations to learn from and build on to better themselves and hopefully the cycle continues.

The Future

Whatever happens in the future is any one's guess. It holds endless possibilities. Therefore, breakout (from the box), step-up and design your future. How can you do that?

1. Determine what kind of future you want. Draw it clearly in your mind. Transfer that onto paper and have it pinned up somewhere where it can remind you daily.
2. Manage your 24 hours every day ensuring that your thoughts, words and actions align to creating and transferring the picture in point 1 above into the physical world.
3. Commit and persevere with point 2 regardless of situations and circumstances. I love how Jack Ma of Alibaba puts it on one of the many videos on YouTube. Today will be challenging. Tomorrow will be very challenging. The day after tomorrow will be very rewarding. Most people give up on the second day. He goes on to encourage people to never ever give up.
4. Remember! It's not a destination. Life is a journey. Your journey. Take control of it.

Again, time is valuable and nonrenewable. Never allow yourself to be boxed in. The mind must first conceive what you want to be. It is important to just be yourself. Then gradually start new habits to apply and use words that will coordinate with your daily actions to give you the life you desire over time.