A LITTLE JON ACUFF HOMAGE - IN 3 QUOTES

3 Jon Acuff quotes that resonated with me as I seek to live my best life every day.

THE FIRST BLOGGER I EVER FOLLOWED

Jon Acuff is a favourite blogger of mine - probably because his blog Stuff Christians Like was the first blog I ever read - before I knew what blogging was about! I mentioned him a little while ago when I used one of his other classic quotes, and I realized that there were a few others that I have added to my life quotes list recently.

LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE EVERY DAY

My top three favourites start with the one below - it sums up how my approach to life has changed over the last few years. It's not about how old someone is, it is about the life they are choosing to live. You can be old before your time, or you can invest yourself in other people and in living a life that is authentic to who you are. It's a shame that some people never decide to live the life they would love. They are too busy living the life that other people expect them to live. They have lost themselves in their work, or their children, or their parents and can't find their way out again. 

Life is less about how old you are... And more about when you decide to live.

This has been a huge wake up call for me recently. My kids have moved on and are living their own lives, I need to get on with living mine. I have many years ahead of me to live well and to thrive -  it's all in my hands. I get to choose whether I sit around moping, or whether I live a great life full of interesting people and activities. If I don't start now I'll miss out on all those possibilities.

DON'T WASTE YOUR LIFE IN THE WRONG JOB

When I think about people who get lost in the daily grind of going to a job they don't like any more, or a job that has lost it's appeal and is sucking the life out of them slowly but surely, it brings me to the next quote:

I don't want you to wake up at sixty-five and realize:  "I spent forty of my best years doing something that just funded my life."

So of us have slaved away in jobs we don't like because we aren't able to take the risk and change direction. We slog away day in and day out building up our superannuation and retirement funds in the hope that we will be able to live our lives once we turn sixty five. It's a long time to wait before you can start really living isn't ir? What if you took a step back and thought about what would make you happy now and took a leap of faith? What if you decided that forty of the best years of your life aren't worth swapping for the Promised Land of a well funded retirement? Maybe you could even retire early!

What if we stopped at fifty (or whatever age rings a bell) and asked ourselves what was really important and started focusing our energies into that? Would the world stop turning? Would we be living under a bridge at sixty five? Would we really miss out on all that much in comparison to what we could gain? Freeing our time up for living now is an empowering idea and one that scares a lot of people. I decided to stop being scared and swap the retirement plan for a more balanced life here and now.

IT'S NOT ABOUT ONE PASSION - JUST LIVE LIFE WELL

This quote is a little more esoteric - but still ticks a lot of boxes for me. The idea of living your life in a way that is purposeful and rewarding.....rather than living dissatisfied because you never feel that you've quite found the answer to life, the universe and everything in it. So many people are searching for a burning passion and missing out on all the meaningful moments that are available to them every single day.

Why not decide that life is here and now and it's time to stop dreaming, or worrying, or planning, or delaying, and just get on with living the best life you possibly can? Mother Theresa said 'Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.' She was a wise (and compassionate - and authentic) woman who lived with purpose and completely understood that today is all we have - let's not waste any more time!

I'm not a fan of “finding your purpose.”  I'm a fan of “living with purpose.

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3 Jon Acuff quotes that resonated with me as I seek to live my best life every day.

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Cresting the Hill - a blog for Midlife (Middle Aged / 50+) women who want to thrive

24 comments

  1. I love the concept of living with purpose and for the day, although it is of course easier said that done in this mad world that we live in. I have found blogging has really helped me with this - it definitely feels like the kids and I are doing something for us!

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    1. I completely agree with you about blogging Sarah - it helps re-focus me and keeps reminding me to be positive and to seize the moment and enjoy each day as it comes.

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  2. This is so true! I stayed in my previous job too long, out of misguided loyalty - I wasted so many opportunities - work wise and life wise! Our family has made some big changes over the last two years and we are so much happier. You've got to find the right balance #MMWBH

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    1. I did exactly the same thing - stayed in a job that was sucking the life out of me because I was too scared to step out and take a risk. Leaving was one of the most empowering moves I've ever made and I'm so glad to have left all the drama behind!

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  3. Chills chills. It is about when you decide to live. And for me just powerfuly feels as though that is age 46

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    1. I know Carla! It's amazing to reach this stage of life and suddenly realize what it is to be really living on your own terms and being authentic - go us!!

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  4. Very true. As I'm settling into my early fourties, I realize too that I'm almost to my mid fourties. I've realized this past year that it is time to step up take hold of some really new self driven opportunities.

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    1. I agree Sasha - I keep thinking about these years being the "last hurrah" where we've got the chance to find out what we are really all about and then go and do something about it before it's too late :)

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  5. Sometimes it's a good idea to fund your life wisely. You also don't want to get to 65, have a chronic disease, and don't know where or how you will live. That said, you can, indeed, consciously decide to work at a ho-hum job, and find your bliss elsewhere.

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    1. It's all about balance isn't it - finding a job that you don't mind going to and living within your means so that you don't end up living under a bridge when you're 65. I just don't need to work myself to death to fund a retirement that is trying to keep up with the Joneses :)

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  6. What an inspiring post, Leanne. I want to live my life NOW but with $$ so tight I can't do what I want. So I do what IS within my means and make that my happy point!

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    1. We don't have money to roll around in either Cathy but I think if you get your priorities right you can fund a pretty good life on a lot less than a lot of other people think you need.

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  7. The third one is the best, get up each day and really enjoy what you are doing. I'm never bored. And I suspect Leanne that since you started this blog you aren't either.

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    1. You're right about the blog Mary - it has certainly given me a whole new zest for life and the impetus to get out there and start living a life that focuses on what is important to my values - every day has something good in it!

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  8. I love that first quote by John Acuff. So true! Forget your age and live!

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    1. It's what I'm planning on doing Jessica - it will get harder when old age starts really creeping in, but in the meantime I'm making the most of what I have in front of me :)

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  9. Wow - great quotes. The last one really resonates with me today. Thanks for sharing on the #FridayFrivolity link party.

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    1. my pleasure Audrey - I loved them all because they relate so well to my stage of life.

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  10. Once again you've hit the nail on the head Leanne. I'm really fortunate that I have a job I actually really like most of the time and I love the people I work with, I choose to spend time with them outside of work as well as in. I think that makes such a difference. I have worked in places where I didn't like the job or the people and it make me so miserable. Life is just too short!

    Sally @ Life Loving
    #LifeLovingLinkie

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    1. Life is definitely too short to spend it working somewhere you are miserable Sally - you are really lucky to work in a place where you are content and surrounded by friends - a real blessing!

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  11. Jon Acuff has a lot of good things to say. Love that quote about funding my life. It's a good thing to remember. Thanks for sharing at the Over the Moon Link Party.

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    1. I think he has a lot of one liners that resonate with us all Sandy.

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  12. Very true indeed, funnily enough I have worked in finance for 14 years I'm currently pregnant with my second child but will be returning. Why? So at 50/55 I can do what I want to do. There will be enough built up for me to go and be either the garden designer or the florist I would like to be. And to be honest I actually enjoy my job so i am hoping that I will be lucky and live it my way :). I think the key is constant revaluation. Thank you for joining us at #BloggerClubUk hope to see you again next week xx

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    1. That's the secret isn't it? Knowing what your limits are and not leaving it too late before you start enjoying the life you want to live. Nobody wants to die with lots of money and no memories of good times.

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