Advance

"Advance, and never halt, for advancing is perfection. Advance and do not fear the thorns in the path, for they draw only corrupt blood." ~Kahlil Gibran

There are varied definitions of what a hermit is. There are the religious hermits that seclude themselves in pursuit of the "forty years wandering in the desert", change of heart life. A life that seeks God. On the other end are those hermits characterized as "returning to nature" by living a life free from materialism. And as with anything, you can find different forms in between and outside of these descriptions.

One description you may not have thought of is how you live your own life. It may seem a bit radical to describe it this way, but many of us are hermits. As defined in dictionaries, a hermit is a person who has withdrawn from society and lives a solitary existence. Or in other words, a person who avoids the company or assistance of others.

As such, when we live a life that doesn't move forward and becomes mired in the sameness of everyday; what is the point of life? It simply becomes a pursuit of waiting for the 'end' to happen. While the rest of life is passing us by, this type of hermit life might as well be watching the clock tick away the minutes. Yes, living without advance can also be described as living the life of a hermit.

So what do I mean by advance your life?

• To raise; to elevate.
• To accelerate the growth or progress; to further; to forward; to help on; to aid; to heighten; as, to advance the ripening of fruit; to advance one's interests.
• To raise to a higher point; to enhance.
• To move or go forward; to proceed.
• To increase or make progress in any respect; as, to advance in knowledge, in stature, in years.
• The act of advancing or moving forward or upward; progress.
• Improvement or progression, physically, mentally, morally, or socially; as, an advance in health, knowledge, or religion; an advance in rank or office.
• The first step towards the attainment of a result; to form an acquaintance, to adjust a difference, etc.; an overture; a tender; an offer.

What I mean is to advance with your life to its greatest potential. It means to advance your life in order to help others. It means to advance your life and actually engage in life around you.

Will you possibly get hurt or bloodied along the way? Very possibly, but you will be amazed how alive you will feel. You can sit and listen to the tic-toc of the clock as time melts away. Or you can advance your life by engaging in new and different ways. Advance, advance, and keep advancing.

~~~~~~~~~~

For those in the Atlanta area, SIGN UP for a Men's Conference being held September 30 - October 3. Come for one night, two nights or the whole thing, but come along and ADVANCE your life. This isn't a kumbaya event. You'll learn practical lessons to advance your life, your families lives and the lives of those around you.