The Path is Narrow

The last few weeks we have been talking about The Principle of the Beginning and the End, which states that if the beginning and end of something are in place then everything in the middle will usually work out.   This applies to pretty much everything.

We have also talked about how the beginning and getting started are important because it puts you on the right path, but the end or finish of a thing is better than the beginning.  

So, you have gotten started. You are on the path, and you are focused on finishing, but what about the middle of the path?  Jesus gives an example in the Bible where he says that the road or path to destruction is broad and most people go down this road.   However, the path to life is narrow and few are those who find it.

 If you want success in any area of your life you need to understand that the path is narrow, which means that it is easy to fall or get knocked off. The things you actually have to do to move forward on the path are not hard, the trouble is it is easy to fall off the path.

Things like drinking more water, eating your veggies, going for a walk, doing some pushups, saving some money,  reading a few pages per day, and being still for a few minutes are not that hard.  The things required for success are usually not hard, they are usually just as easy to do as they are not to do.

The hard part is staying on the path.   Busy schedules, adversities, and the curveballs of life are going to try and knock you off the path.  I guarantee that if you get started on a better path something is going to come along and try to knock you off the path.  

My wife and I will often take our kids on walks through our neighborhood. My kids love to walk on the curb and pretend it is a balance beam.  It is hard for them to stay on the curb.  The question is not if they can take the steps forward, it is can they stay on the balance beam as they walk forward.

Unfortunately, only a few find the path and are able to stay on it because life wants to get in the way. One of the things required is the ability to make course corrections.  How quickly do you get back on the path if you fall off?   You must learn to get back on as quickly as possible.  For example, if you have a bad meal, miss a workout, don't save your money, or don't take the time to nourish your relationships how quickly do you get back on track.  

If you want to stay on the path there are a few things that I think you need.

1) You need education and understanding - You need to know what steps are needed to move you towards your destination.  If you have bad directions you won't arrive at your destination.  

You not only need the plan but you also need understanding of the plan.  If you have a plan but lack the understanding of the principles that operate the plan you will be susceptible because you lack the understanding to adapt when life throws you a curveball

2) Practice - You could have the greatest plan in the world but if you don't put it into consistent practice it won't do you any good.  This goes for any area of your life.  

3)  Support - If my kids are walking down the curb they have a much higher likely hood of staying on if I hold their hand.   Having the support of friends, family members, coaches, mentors, workout partners, etc can make a huge difference in keeping you on the path.   You need some people who will encourage you when you are off track - some people who will tell you the truth.  

Unfortunately most of the world is not on a good path.   They are on a path that leads to poor health, debt, and bad relationships so you are going to need to find some people to walk the path with you.  

The path is narrow, occasionally you will fall off, but how quickly do you get back on?  If you have have fallen off get back on because it leads to something better.