Willpower

Do you ever have the feeling at the end of the day that something is missing in your life? Is there something that you are overlooking? You may have accomplished all your major goals for the day: work, family commitments, writing your best friend, organizing the hall closet and even spending extra time with Morris, your finicky cat. You've done it all; although, possibly in the wrong order according to Morris.

At the end of the day, as you're watching your favorite TV program, you may have a nagging feeling that there is, indeed, something missing from your life. As you flip through the channels, you remember those promises that you made to yourself. It doesn't matter if it was a New Year's Eve resolution to lose weight or a decision made last summer to learn a new language. You realize that you have not made much progress in reaching your personal goals

Personal goals are important. It doesn't matter if others do not understand why you want to learn to juggle. They may not realize how this will help your coordination and concentration...all the while garnering you the admiration of all, especially kids and clowns.

I know that as soon as I learn to juggle, I will be invited to more parties than I could possibly attend in a lifetime. I can see it now. I'm at a chic dinner party, discussing art, culture and politics with the other fashionable guests. Everyone, including Chelsea, the Chihuahua and Tad the Tabby is decked out in the latest fashion, many wearing trendy eyewear, even people with 20/20 vision who could pick out a robin in the Grand Canyon. As for me, I'm constantly mistaken for Donatella Versace....not so much because we look alike, since I haven't had plastic surgery...yet. I'm waiting until I'm 102 so that I can pass for a young 90 year old movie star.

Suddenly there is a hush. It seems that everyone, at the same time, has run out of topics to discuss. The hostess nervously scans the room and, spotting me wastes no time introducing the talent for the night. Without further ado, I start juggling everything in sight, including priceless vases from the Orient and Chelsea's rubber balls. There are gasps of disbelief, when for the finale I juggle Chelsea and Tad, who are only too happy to be part of the night's entertainment.

There's only one reason why this scenario has not already transpired. I don't know how to juggle. I have the scarves, juggling balls and book with diagrams. I have the time to do this. I have the will but, do I have the willpower?

Willpower is defined as the combination of determination and self-discipline. You must have both. I am determined to be the coolest juggler East or West of the Mississippi River. However, I have not practiced the self-discipline to achieve my goal.

At the end of the day, there is something missing in my life. I am not a juggler. I have to delve deeper into this matter and ask myself if I truly have the will to be a world class juggler.

As the saying goes, "Where there's a will, there's a way." Many don't know that William Shakespeare also mused: "To Will or not to Will, That is the Question." Many interpreted that as: Does one really have the will or doesn't have the will. It was later revealed that he was going through his intended Christmas presents, trying to decide whether he really wanted to give them away or keep them for himself. On more than one occasion, the housekeeper heard him mutter: "To Will or not to Will."

Regardless of the true origin of this saying, one must ask themselves if they really have the will, desire to learn a new language, lose weight or juggle.

As for myself, I have the will to learn to juggle. I'm not going to pass on being an invited guest at the next Presidential inauguration.

I have the juggling scarves, the instructions and the time.

I hope that all your dreams come true, whatever they may be. Remember, it starts with the will. Who knows you may actually be the next President of the United States.

Call me.