Eddie Pinero

The why is everything.

There are no have-tos in life.

Life is a collection of get-tos.

We're not dipping into life's infinite abundance so that we fill holes within ourselves.

No, we're doing it to take in the show, to absorb so that we can consequently add our verse to the play of life.

As the saying goes, the ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for.

And that's where the distinction lies, as far as I'm concerned.

Where the ship is in the moment doesn't make it more or less beautiful or valuable.

But to deprive that ship of open water, to deprive its sails of the wind, well, it just feels like a shame, like something's missing.

And so with all that said, here's what I'm thinking.

I'm thinking that as I move towards those distant horizons, I need to remember that the journey comes with a few understandings.

I need to know that at times it will feel exhausting.

I need to know that while building, you can become so fixated on the plans that sure, you'll forget about your progress.

I need to know how easily the future can steal from the present.

But also, I know that taking in the best life has to offer comes with the price tag, and being tired from time to time seems fair.

I know that the builder with the plans can ground him or herself by looking over their shoulder every so often and appreciating how far they've come.

I know that the future is always out of reach.

Like that carrot hanging just beyond the grasp of the runner on the treadmill.

But the gratification can be both delayed and current when we're pointed to the right north star.

So I invite you to reimagine the word pressure.