If you are still here, still learning and still able to take another step, the score of your life may be simpler than you think:
SO FAR…SO GOOD.
HOW TO KEEP SCORE IN LIFE
Sometimes our ambitions make us forget the obvious—what is being presented to us right now.
Imagine standing at the center of a compass with 360 degrees of life surrounding you. At any one moment, you could not possibly name everything within your view.
There is always more happening around you—and within you—than you can measure.
So, how do you keep score in life?
THE ANSWER TO THE POST TITLE
The best—and perhaps only—honest way to keep score is:
SO FAR…SO GOOD.
You have made it this far.
You have lived through days you thought might defeat you. You have discovered things you never expected to find, and you have survived things you never expected to face.
You are still here.
That counts for something.
WHEN THINGS ARE NOT SO GOOD
You may be thinking, “But things are not so good right now.”
Then enjoy at least half of the statement:
SO FAR…
You made it this far.
Pain only visits the living. I am not suggesting that every pain disappears quickly or that every problem has an easy answer. I am saying that circumstances, feelings and seasons do not remain exactly the same forever.
Life keeps moving—and so can you.
HOPE FOR THE BEST
Hope is always present.
No strings attached.
Hope is one of our most underrated friends. It sits quietly beside us while we struggle, reminding us that the story is not over merely because the present chapter is difficult.
Hope does not require you to know exactly how everything will work out.
It only asks you to leave the door unlocked.
THIS TOO SHALL PASS
I have used these words many times:
THIS TOO SHALL PASS.
There was once a powerful and wealthy king who possessed almost everything a person could desire—but he was unhappy.
The king summoned his counselors and ordered them to find something that would bring him peace, regardless of the circumstances surrounding him.
The kingdom went to work.
Day and night were spent searching for the answer. The king’s counselors knew they were under tremendous pressure. Their own futures might depend on satisfying him.
Finally, they returned.
“My lord king, we have found the answer.”
They presented him with these words:
THIS TOO SHALL PASS.
The king embraced the message.
Interestingly, the counselors had already been using those same words to help themselves endure the pressure of finding an answer for the king.
Whether the moment is painful or pleasant, life continues to change. Appreciate what is good while it is here, and do not assume that what hurts will always hold the same power over you.
WATCH THE THINKING
Your thoughts can resemble a passing parade.
You may watch the parade and observe everything passing before you, but you do not have to march behind every float.
Notice the thoughts.
Choose the ones worthy of your attention.
Then allow the others to continue down the street.
Do not give the parade of thought more power than it deserves. Thinking can guide us, but too much thinking can sink us.
THE FORMULA FOR LIFE
Young people—and many not-so-young people—frequently ask:
How?
What?
Why?
When?
Where?
Here is what I have learned:
- Everyone receives answers when they arrive at—or begin approaching—their questions.
- Everyone receives their own answers while witnessing other people searching for theirs.
We may share the road, but we do not all receive the same directions at the same time.
LIVING THE QUESTIONS
You will get your answers by living your questions.
Questions unlock doors and clear paths so answers can arrive and go to work.
Trying too hard can sometimes stall the progress.
Not trying enough can slow it down.
Life seems to work somewhere between forcing everything and abandoning everything.
Keep moving.
Keep observing.
Keep asking.
Keep living.
THE END RESULT
You do not have to understand the entire journey to appreciate how far you have already traveled.
You do not have to possess every answer to recognize that you are still learning.
You do not have to win every round to remain in the game.
How do you keep score in life?
SO FAR…SO GOOD.
FINAL THOUGHT
If today is wonderful, appreciate it.
If today is difficult, remember that you have already made it through every previous difficult day that tried to stop you.
Either way, the score remains:
SO FAR…SO GOOD.
PEARLS INSIGHT (SEO)
Keeping score in life is not about counting possessions, victories or perfect days. It is about recognizing personal growth, maintaining hope, living in the present and refusing to let overthinking control the journey.
PEARLS FROM THE BOOKS
“The questions only unlock doors and clear the paths for the answer to arrive and go to work.”
PEARLS CONNECTION
What part of your life deserves a quiet “so far…so good” today?
Your answer may help another person recognize that continuing forward is also a victory.
RICHIE SPEAKS
I have not figured out every twist, turn, bump or strange detour in life—and I am no longer sure I am supposed to.
I am here.
I am learning.
I am still going.
SO FAR…SO GOOD.
FINAL SAY
Do not judge your entire life by one difficult moment.
The parade is still passing, the compass is still pointing and your questions are still opening doors.
— Richie
Pearls for the Soul
when you feed the soul, you feed everything.
Website: https://pearlsforthesoul.com
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