Monkey Bars

         As I've been thinking of the next steps in my life, I've come to realize that life is more like monkey bars than a box of chocolates. As you go from bar to bar one realizes that you must let go of the bar behind you to grab hold of the bar in front of you. The same can be said about life. It always seems like just when you get comfortable, you're asked to stretch, to grow, to let go of something old behind you and grab hold of something new in front of you. This can be very difficult and requires a lot of faith. Questions like, "Can I really make it?", "What if I fall?", and "Can't I just stay on this bar?" rush to fill the mind each time. No matter how hard that is, it is necessary.
       The great thing about it all, is that if you do take the chance to stretch and grab the next bar, you will make it. You may not succeed the first time you try, but when you are asked to stretch, we are also given the strength to do so. We are just asked to try and to give it our all. The real danger is not in trying, but is in not trying.
       You can't just stay still or not try. On the monkey bars, if you become complacent and just stay where you are, trying to just hold on, eventually you will become tired and fall. The same thing happens in life. If you stay in a rut and do not move forward to progress, you won't just stay in the same place, but you will eventually digress and fall.
        I've also come to realize that each of our life "monkey bars" is unique and different. Each is tailored to best help us in the end. Some bars for you may be further apart then others and you may have more bars than the next person. Everyone has monkey bars and each is made to make the best of us. This is because it is more about the process and progress than the destination or the time we get there. Although on the playground there isn't much satisfaction or partying when one finishes the monkey bars, in life's "monkey bars" doing them makes all the difference. There is a noticeable difference in the lives of those who do have the faith and live going from bar to bar and those who don't. It is not promised that we will be given everything; that we will be rich or even that we will have lots of friends. In fact, many times these are the things that we are asked to leave behind for greater things. What we are promised is the satisfaction of living a fulfilling life, to ultimately be strong and happy in any situation and with whatever life throws at us, and to have the power to make a difference in this life and to enjoy all that there is in the next life. This new year is a great time to look back at the progress you have made and to see where improvement can be made. So move forward and continue in life's "monkey bars". Just remember that you can do it and that there is always help!