Your Main Takeaway
When you write a book – I’ve been told, “Do not leave the reader hanging.” What is their main takeaway? What are they walking away with in the end? I’ve been asked this question in various ways over the last few weeks.
People read that which they can relate to or learn from. This raises the question, why will they even pick up your title? And can you prove that you have any authority to write on THAT topic?
Good and important questions. I’m going to be honest, I don’t enjoy those questions. Questions I do enjoy:
What gives you life?
When you have free time, where do your thoughts go?
If you had six months – no job with minimal responsibilities – just time. What would you do?
Who would you become?
Would the you that started the six months “free” be the same in the end?
It sounds like a fun experiment. A privileged one, too. The reality is that we are raised in a generation that has more time for self-reflection and abundant resources for setting personal goals. Yet – that also means we have more depression with a greater need for purpose than those that have lived before us. And even worse, less need to rely on God – with little desire to take a risk for the sake of others.
I am privileged because I get to ponder an idealized life while millions across the globe struggle with a very real fear and anxiety in relation to their next six weeks, or next six days, while sitting near the front lines of war. Others are trapped in families torn apart by drugs, addictions, and mental health issues. For many, a declining health and a string of medical diagnosis make it nearly impossible to think of anything other than feeling better and hospital bills.
Yet – Here I am. Typing on a shiny laptop with the sound of Costa Rican rain hitting the tin roof just right. The type of lullaby that stirs thoughts of future “what ifs” as my mind tries to make sense of this next week or rather, the next six months.
It’s quite possible that by the end of this week Michael will lose his job due to restructuring of the organization. Or not. And if not, how do we keep on living? The same as before? Or, knowing what we know about all the chaos abounding in the lives of those around us - “our neighbors” - do we try and live a little differently?
I really have no clue - so I’m bouncing the question back to you. How do you answer this?
What would you do given the time and space to live six months differently?
I would love to hear your thoughts and maybe even put them in my back pocket to try out in this next half of 2025. I’ve just figured out how to add a comments section, so leave a comment below and let me know!