Start Living!

In this PLPT guest post, Professor/Pastor Lawrence Ware reminds us to stop complaining and make changes in our lives.



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Do you know anyone that seems to be stuck on stupid? Someone that is seemingly content in a situation that is beneath them?

It can be in any facet of life: employment, relationships, and friendships. There are people who consistently find themselves frustrated and anxiety ridden because of the choices they make.

I call it the Tubman-Boy condition. Let me explain.

When Harriet Tubman first achieved freedom by escaping from the plantation, she brought her three brothers with her. Her brothers were big, brawny, and seemingly courageous. Yet, when they left the plantation, they were unsettled by the idea of something they never had to face before: freedom.

When confronted with the truth that they would now have to provide for themselves what was once given to them by the ruler of the plantation, they decided to make a U-turn and go back to what was dehumanizing and demoralizing. They chose to go back to what she had delivered them from.

Now, we should not judge them too harshly; because we may not have chains on our legs, but many of us have chains on our brains. We will often times choose to stay in situations that are beneath us because we prefer comfort and security to risk.

We will stay with a man that cheats and is out all hours of the night, because his craziness is the kind of craziness we know. Instead of striking out and starting the business about which we have always dreamed, we will stay in a dead end job and complain daily.

The Tubman-Boy condition: choosing to stay in situations that are beneath us.

How do we break free? It is so simple; I am almost embarrassed to write it. Make better choices. Take a chance. Step out on nothing and believe in yourself. You are worth more than what you have settled for. Complacency is not contentment.

If you want to be married, do not settle for a man who is happy merely living together. If you want a higher degree, apply for graduate school. If you want to live in a home, start saving money. Simply put, stop allowing short-term comfort to distract you from your long-term goals.

Make plans, stop complaining, and build momentum toward your dreams.

You only get one shot at life; stop existing and start living.

Lawrence Ware is lecturing professor of philosophy at Oklahoma State University and Pastor of Christian Education at Prospect Church. He writes for Tikkun and Religion Dispatchers all while living in Oklahoma City with his wife and sons.