Aim to Please (Bombs in the Distance)

I've grown accustomed to the sounds of war in the distance...

Bombs tearing up the land around me, machine guns tat-tat-tatting into the wind...

And it's not because I live anywhere dangerous.

I've become accustomed to those sounds because I live near an Army post where they are constantly practicing with their artillery. The sounds of explosions don't faze me anymore. I don't wake up to the sounds of weapons. And when I contemplate how I am not bothered by those sounds, I have to wonder what it's like to get used to them when they are dangerous.

Imagine growing up in a place where someone dies every time you hear one of those explosions. Imagine having to go to sleep with the sounds of bombs in the distance and the knowledge constantly gnawing at the back of your mind that those bombs may hit you next time.

How do you get used to that fear? How do you get used to something so unfavorable that you may die because of it?

Our every day lives are filled with things that we can't stand but we are comfortable with.

Some people can't stand their jobs, but they'd hate to quit... quitting would mean leaving something that you've grown accustomed to. Those people may not like what they do, but they'd hate to leave or even think about leaving.

My current job fits that example. I don't hate it, but there could be a lot of improvements.

A few days ago, I got a call offering ample improvements... a new job that pays more, gets more hours, and gives me full benefits.

There'd be no reason to turn down the offer.

...except when I was presented with the thought that taking the new job would mean leaving the old, I got scared.

I got to the point where I considered not taking the offer just so I wouldn't have to tell anyone at my current job that I was leaving. The only reason I don't want to leave is for the comfort I have in the other people and in the position I'm in.

I know I am not alone in this fear.

What has gotten us to this point as a society? Why are we, as a whole, so afraid of change?

We love change when the decision doesn't solely rely on us. We can't wait to pick a new President; we watch eagerly as the prices of goods and services rise and fall.

I think we are afraid of something going wrong.

If we make a decision on our own, one that means change, and it goes wrong, then we hold the guilt of that decision. But if we give up the choice, if we stay where we are comfortable, then we know what's going to happen and there's nothing dangerous.

Why would we take the chance?

Well, ProgressiveU, today I took a chance. I told my boss that I was leaving. I told her I got a better offer and that I was leaving.

And honestly, it wasn't that bad.

I propose that we all start trying a little harder to take a chance for our futures.

I'd venture to guess that we all have some big decisions coming up in our lives. Why take the easy way out and stay in our "comfort zone?" Why get used to the falling bombs and the mindless jobs?

Take a chance for your future. Make a decision based on what's right for you, not what's comfortable.

We have potential, and we can't let that get masked by what's easy. I believe in you... and all of your future decisions.