The Anatomy of a Wasted Life
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Written by Jimmie Burroughs 
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The news said, “A pair of noteworthy San Diego Chargers hit milestones in opposite directions this week. For LaDainian Tomlinson, things were about as good as they get. For Ryan Leaf, well, things are every bit as bad for him.”
Ryan Leaf just received his sentence last Tuesday from the judge in Great Falls, Montana for probation only. However, Leaf apparently prefers jail. He has been in jail since April 2, and he called that experience a “sanctuary.”
Ryan Leaf had the opportunity of a lifetime back in 1998 when he was the second overall pick in the NFL draft. Peyton Manning went first, but many considered Leaf to be the best quarterback. Leaf was unable to cope with NFL football for the reasons he gave himself: He was lazy, selfish and dishonest. He is considered by many the biggest draft bust in the history of the NFL
When leaf came before the court hearing, he summed up the evaluation of himself in the following three statements:
Speaking of his parents, he said, “They believe I’ve held them for ransom for 36 years, and I don’t understand why I should have to do that anymore.”
“I’m lazy, and dishonest and selfish. These were behaviors I had before my addiction kicked in.”
“Five to ten years of Ryan-free drama for my family, this community — particularly for this nation — would be pure bliss for people.”
Ryan seems to lack the ability to live a life free of self inflicted drama. He apparently believes that the safest place for him and his parents, and also including society is for him to be placed in jail.
Leaf’s addiction to painkillers and the need of a way to finance his addiction pushed him to commit multiple acts of burglary over the past few years. Leaf had stolen prescriptions drugs in his possession back in March when police arrested him. He was on probation at that time. After being released on bail, Leaf, desperate for more pills, robbed a mobile home. At present he faces more charges in Texas.
Leaf is a living legion of how to waste your life and become a public nuisance in the process. It is easy to feel sorry for the guy, but after all he has had numerous chances and wasted them all. There is always hope as long as there is life, but Leaf has used up a lot of opportunities. I hope he is able to turn his life around.-1
It isn’t my place to judge Leaf or anyone else; nonetheless, it is a fact that many waste their lives one way or another, and many times it includes drug addictions. Three of the twentieth century’s greatest entertainers all died from overdoses of drugs: Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston. They indeed, regardless of all their accomplishments, wasted their life. It is sad when you consider the many years they could have lived and continued to offer entertainment, and enjoyed their life, but it all was wasted and because of drugs.
It is true that we all waste a portion of our lives someway or somehow, but the object is to plan your life well, and avoid the pitfalls like drugs, as well as many other things, that bring about a wasted life. Personal development is one of the best ways to insure that your life will be directed toward productivity. Personal development creates the right mindset and lifestyle, which enables a person to pursue the more noble things in life. It develops virtues that are in contrast to the ones to which Mr. Leaf described himself: dishonest, lazy, and selfish.
The many articles on this website are free and written to help you in your quest for purpose and meaning, in your life. I hope you will take advantage of the opportunity.
-1 Source – AP
About the author: Jimmie Burroughs is a motivational speaker and author who has been involved in teaching Christian Personal Development for more than 30 years. There are hundreds of articles to help you on this website, Website Contents , in your person growth. Be sure to take vantage of the FREE offer to get the “Personal Development” eBook while available.
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