In my blog post from November 5, I included a link to Brandi Carlile’s “The Story” which is the title song from her 2007 album.  It is rare for me to listen to a cd consistently over a long period of time, but The Story continues to find its way into my drive time listening.  Carlile’s lyrics are honest, poetic, and very often sad.  She doesn’t shy away from expressing feelings of failure, regret, and loneliness.  The last track is entitled “Again Today.”  Rather than posting the lyrics of the entire song, I just wanted to share the end of the chorus which states, “The path of least resistance is catching up with me again today.”

There have been far too many days in my life when I have felt exactly the same way.  Rather than challenging myself, stretching myself, and engaging in a struggle for excellence, I have succumbed to the lure and the ease of the path of least resistance.  Mediocrity has won the day when far more could have been accomplished through a greater sense of purpose, focus, and direction.

I have begun 2010 with a resolve to greatly reduce the number of days that are overly influenced by the path of least resistance.  I have identified five areas in which I want to grow, achieve, and excel.  These are not pie-in-the-sky conceptual goals, but matters that are practical, measurable, and doable.  I have reduced these five goals to five words so that I can easily reflect on all of them several times a day.  “Daily” is a vital component to accomplishing these goals, so I am calling this my 365 Plan.  365.  Every day.  Five words.  Five goals.  What am I doing “today” that will positively impact my progress in these areas?

Resistance tests our resolve, but, when met and overcome, it increases our strength.  I am prayerful that this year will be one in which I win far more battles against resistance than I lose.  I’ll let you know how it goes!  Give it a try, and let me know how it goes for you!