I once heard a speaker use the statement, “I have been sentenced to success!” I heard that almost twenty years ago, yet it still sticks in my
head.
Imagine that. What if we had been given a life sentence to serve, say 75
years, and the sentence was to do time in a place called “Success”? The
truth is that we have.
Let me back up. We have been given a life sentence. But, unlike a sentencing
in a real life courtroom, we get to actually choose where we will “do our
time.”
Here are some of the choices people make:
The prison of poverty. Poor people are no better or kinder or anything else
than people with money. People are people regardless of how much money they
have. Frankly, I have had little and I have had a lot, and yes, I will
choose having a lot! When you choose to live in poverty you are in a prison
that does not allow you the freedoms we were intended to experience. We are
unable to help others as we desire. My advice? Don’t choose a sentence to
the prison of poverty.
The prison of depression. Depression is like a blanket that overwhelms you
and eventually smothers you. Now before you go accusing me with, “Chris. You
just don’t understand.” Yes I do. I have had a history of depression.
Depression is rampant in my family of origin. I know firsthand what a prison
depression is. When you are locked up in depression you cannot live life as
it was intended. But you can get out! My advice? Don’t choose a sentence to
the prison of depression.
The prison of the lack of health. Lacking health is a real pain! The freedom
we lose when we choose to live in a state of a lack of health is terrible –
and unnecessary! We don’t have to live in that prison. We can choose a
different sentence! We can choose health! My advice? Don’t choose a sentence
to the prison of the lack of health.
The prison of doubt, worry, and fear. This is a dark, dark prison. It is one
that haunts you the whole time you reside there. It makes you believe that
the surroundings are worse than the really are. It keeps you from enjoying
life and becoming the kind of person you were intended to become! My advice?
Don’t choose a sentence to the prison of poverty. My advice? Don’t choose a
sentence to the prison of doubt, worry and fear.
There is another option. You can choose to be sentenced to success! You can
choose to actually be set free! You can choose to walk out of that courtroom
and live the life that you choose!
What can you experience when you are sentenced to success? How about these:
Good health
Financial abundance
Emotional freedom
Positive relationships
A career you love
Spiritual liberty
And how will you experience these? By choice. Your choice. You choose
exactly what kind of life you will live. You choose the sentence you will
serve here on earth and the experience that you have.
Will you languish in a dark prison or in the open freedom that comes from
the sentence of success? That depends on the choices you make.
I challenge you to choose this day to:
Pursue financial independence
Develop yourself spiritually
Make a change so you are in a career you love
Re-commit yourself to loving relationships
Achieve emotional health
Make a choice TODAY. Do not spend another day in a prison where you do not
belong!
Where will you serve your sentence? You get to decide.
As for me?
I have been sentenced to success!
About The Author:
Chris Widener is a popular speaker and writer as well as the President of
Made for Success, a company helping individuals and organizations turn
their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and
achieve their dreams.
To see Chris “live” at the upcoming Jim Rohn Weekend Event as he speaks on
the subject of Secrets of Influence go to
or call 800-929-0434.
