I think in any faith-based service, Eminem's lyrics might not be something one would go to to find inspiration. But in one of his songs, "Lose Yourself," I find I think about the lyrics a lot. During warm-up's before basketball games this year I realized it was something that got me "pumped up." The lyrics ran through my head: "You better lose yourself in the music, the moment, you own it, you better not let it go, you only get one shot, do not miss the chance to blow, this opportunity comes once in a lifetime."
With all of the changes about to be made in all of our lives, these lyrics fit quite well. We need to be willing to change our plans in order to take advantage of an opportunity. Looking ahead at what is coming will often show us what needs to be done before the moment arrives. So we need to be constantly preparing for the future. However, even despite all of our preparations, we can never be really sure that we are not making a mistake. But that's what life is about. We need to trust God and have faith in ourselves.
Come August, a majority of us are about to embark on something we have never been challenged with before. The changes are there for us to build character. We aren't born with character, we develop our character by facing challenges. Challenges come from doing something different in our lives, taking a chance, and seizing the moment. Challenges are a part of God's plan for us, so there is no way around them. But, we are created with a choice: what do you want to do with them? It takes a strong sense of courage to leave home, be forced to meet new people, or get a new apartment, or drive half an hour or more instead of five to ten minutes to school every day. So, if you take all of your courage from another person, you will be left with nothing when that person is gone. If you have faith in God, you will have the strength to go on even when circumstances collapse around you. Independence is a trait necessary to carry out life's challenges. Your life isn't the same as another person's - you'll meet different opportunities, different moments to take advantage of. You, and you alone, must decide to act. To wait for someone to decide for you or to push you into action is to surrender your own power of choice. Every moment is your golden opportunity to break away from the limitation of the past and to live and act with a positive resolve. There is nothing you can do now to undo what has already happened, but you can do everything to change the future.
Life is not a contest where there has to be winners and losers. We should all just be able to live life and not worry about what the person next to you is doing. While our mistakes make us who we are, and shape our personality and character, there are still going to be things it will take you more than once to learn. That is where regrets will set in. Regrets gnaw away at your dreams and aspirations. And if allowed to, continue contaminating your mind, and will rob you of any hope of achievement.
So live life to the fullest, be strong in character, learn from your mistakes, don't miss your chance. Because if you had one shot, one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted - one moment - would you capture it, or just let it slip?