Ignoring Life because of 25 "Carrot" Diamonds...(Earnest)

My time in New York has taught me a lot about myself, people, "life", and more importantly my surroundings. I quickly learned how this city exemplifies the well known image of the "donkey chasing the carrot" that is right in front of it. I myself have became (and still am to an extent) that donkey that is chasing what is perceived to be right in front of him--No matter if that "carrot" was a woman, money, grades, liquor, or a better status.

However there is an inherent problem with this mode of thinking and this focus for the one the "current" fulfillment of your desires--actually there are two problems. First, I have found that these temporary needs that you have focused your entire being on, are not truly fulfilling because the second you achieve the thing that you have thought about, prayed about and dreamed about you quickly forgot it and its importance. You then shift your focus on a new "carrot" that looks even more delicious than the one you consumed five minutes ago. Secondly, if your focus is always on the "carrot" before you or the "carrots" someone else possess, you never focus on what you are blessed with because you continue to focus on what you lack.

In my "young" walk with Christ I have found this to be detrimental to my faith and progress because as my frustration due to failure to obtain my "current carrot" grows my focus on my walk decreases. I begin to walk a stray from the path Christ takes because my mentality is "at any means necessary" (yes it is a reference to Malcolm X...it is his birthday) I will obtain what I lack.

And when I get too focused on what I lack God typically finds a way to re-prioritize my perspective. Last week two friends of mine lost very close people in their lives and when I think about how they are going through, I remember how petty, fragile, and temporary that "carrot" is...I might not have that carrot that I desire but I do still have the greatest gift of all-- A Life full of possibilities.

I know how easy it is to focus on the busyness of Life but I strive and pray that each day I learn how not to focus on the gold and 10 carrot diamonds of the world but on Life it self.