Lessons From Lord of the Rings

I was watching Lord of the Rings recently (as I often do because I try to watch the films every year if I can) and was reminded of one of the great life-lessons from the series.  I know there are many lessons in the story, but one in particular hit harder this time.  I’ve thought of it before, but decided to write about it.  If you aren’t a fan of the films or books, it’s okay.  Stay with me as we can all be reminded of this truth.

In the first film - “Fellowship of the Ring”, when the Fellowship is in the Mines of Moria trying to figure out which tunnel to take, Gandalf and Frodo are talking about the ring and their seemingly doomed situation.  Frodo says he wishes the Ring hadn’t come to him and that he wished none of this (bad stuff) would have happened.  Gandalf replies with a fabulous piece of advice.  The response is: “So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide.  All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”  

What a powerful statement.  Go back and read that again slowly.  How many times have we sat and felt sorry for ourselves.  Victims of our time, our money, our situation, our work, our family, our health?  Too many to count for me.  But this advice is so good to hear because it’s true.  All we have to decide is what to do with what is given to us.  I often try to control everything around me rather than focusing on what I can (and should) control, which isn’t much in reality.

When it comes to money, I’ve wished for more income, more sales, more talent, better products, more time, more influence.  My energy and time is wasted on a lot of these things rather than deciding to handle what was given to me.  Sure, at various times we are given less and sometimes more.  Like me, have you struggled with focusing on the wrong things?  Join with me and let’s focus on what is really under our control.  We can just push the reset button, set new goals, get a clear vision, and realize what we need to do with the time and treasures that are given to us.

Back to The Lord of the Rings for a second…in The Two Towers, Sam reminds Frodo that the Heroes we remember in the famous stories are the ones who face adversity and press on.  Not because they have to, but because they see there is still good in the world.  He’s talking about having HOPE!  Just because we are in a dark time, doesn’t mean it will always be that way.  Maybe you lost a job, a home, had your hours cut back, got sick or lost a loved one, added extra expenses that were unforeseen, had a car breakdown, or something else that is causing financial or career stress.  Whatever it is, we can pursue a better situation if we hold on to the hope that it will get better if we press on and keep doing the right things, one step at a time.

What steps are you taking to make your situation better?  Are you getting on a budget?  Working a second job or applying for a better job?  Are you learning how to handle money better?  Getting organized, setting goals, or finding accountability for your spending?  Whatever it is, you want to be moving forward, even if it’s a small step at a time.  But ultimately, YOU are in control of the money and life you are given, nobody else.

We can say to ourselves: “It is up to ME to DECIDE what to do with the money and life that I’m responsible for right now”.  Not in 10 years or 20 years, but right now.  We all have the power to decide.  Now go make it count!