Investment. Defined as “the action or process of investing money for profit or material result.” I didn’t need to include that, you already knew it. We often can’t see through our obsession with financial success and comfort to realize there’s more we’re investing without realizing it. The second definition is lesser used, but more accurate to what the majority of us actually have to invest in lieu of our mega-millions.

Investment. “An act of devoting time, effort, or energy to a particular undertaking with the expectation of a worthwhile result.” Time. Effort. Energy. Things we all have a limited supply of, but things that we squander on a daily (maybe even hourly) basis. We’re not even aware what we have at our disposal until we’re looking back wishing things were different, only to deny we had the potential to make that difference the whole time.

I realize now more than ever that I don’t want to wait until the end of my life to look back and dream of what I could/should have done differently. I’m going to make those changes when I have the chance. The challenge is that it’s not just simply deciding to live my life with purpose and instantly things fall into place. It’s an endless series of small decisions that add up to and support the greater goal being pursued. It’s something you have to decide once, and then decide over and over again every minute of every day.

It’s worth living your life to the fullest, but I’m not just talking about a busy schedule in pursuit of fulfillment, but strategic investments in how to life a rich life. Not rich in money necessarily, but rich in memories, experiences, and reason and well invested time and effort.

You only have one pitcher of life to pour out, choose your cups wisely.