All You Have Is One Life

Hauling Buckets


I read a story in a very popular book that really opened my eyes, and encouraged me to do what I’m doing right now. I’ll sum it up real quick for you.

There was a king in a village that was looking for a way to increase the water supply in the village. So he commissioned two individuals with this opportunity and offered to compensate them based upon how well they were able to bring water in to the village from the local river.

The first person, John, immediately took advantage of this opportunity, and got a few of his homies together (my wording here) with some buckets, and began hauling buckets back and forth from the river in to the main well of the village. John was really excited, because the other person that was given this commission, Robert, was nowhere to be found. So they continued hauling buckets back and forth. There were times that one of them became tired, wanted a vacation, got sick, and needed someone to cover for them. Either way it was very important that they kept the steady flow of water that they have been doing in order to keep the same compensation coming in.

Some time later, Robert appears. But he appears all by himself. However, he had plans and equipment with him. With these materials, he built a pipe from the village to the main well. The pipeline automatically flowed water from the river in to the well. Robert didn’t have to be there to work it. Whether he was present or not, he was compensated by the king for his pipeline. He was able to utilize his time for whatever he pleased.

I tell you this story to ask you this question. Are you hauling buckets or are you building a pipeline? If you are the only one bringing in income, when will you ever be able to stop working? Many people today live for today, which is great. You should treat each day as a masterpiece. However, at the same time, these same people rely on what they have learned from the general population on how to take care of their future. Meaning, most people leave their future up to 401k, IRA, social security, and other types of investments that are not guaranteed. Did you know the retirement age of 65 was decided at a time when the average life expectancy wasn’t even 60? Secondly, why would you want to retire this late in your life? The average life expectancy these days is not even 80. I’m writing this on a day when two very well known individuals passed away at the age of 50 and 62. Neither of them making it to the retirement age. My grandfather retired in his 80s, and he only retired because his body told him to. Otherwise he would have continued working, because he had to.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to spend most of my life contributing 40 HOURS A WEEK to someone else’s dream so I can just live day to day. I'm building a pipeline so I can have a lifestyle. I see on Facebook all the time; people having a case of the Monday’s or TGIF. If you don’t like what you are doing, why don’t you make an effort to change? We only have one life. It’s short, and we don’t even know if tomorrow’s promised to us. Most of you reading this live in the only country where you hear the word ‘dream’ after the name. Yet most of us Americans never take advantage of the dream. Everyone else in other countries see it, come here, and take advantage. Don’t hate! Participate! There are so many ‘pipeline’ opportunities out there, and I’m positive that there is one waiting for you, and it’s not the lottery. Everyone wants to win the lottery, however, rarely does a winner of a lottery have the mentality and philosophy to match the income they just won, and lose it fast. I would rather work full time on my job and part time on my fortune for 10 years and true financial and time freedom, than work full time on my job for 40 years and not have the freedom I want when I retire. Besides, why would you want to work to that age anyway? Only have 10-15 years to play? I want to play as early as I possibly can. There’s no time to waste. 50 cent said, “Get rich or die trying.” I know understand what he’s saying. Why settle for what life offers, when you have dreams for more. Go after them. Don’t be scared. There won’t be another chance. Once this life is over, it’s over. Don't waste it. Quit hauling buckets, and build a pipeline so you can live the life you’ve always imagined. “Live To Dream Big!”