My childhood echoed with the refrain, “What’s it going to take?” It was a relentless question mark hanging over everything from homework and teeth-brushing to eating vegetables. This relentless questioning wasn’t unique to my experience, I’m sure. It’s a familiar echo in many households. I used it with my own children, those pleading, frustrated “What’s it going to take?” moments.
Sometimes, I wonder if this isn’t a universal question, one that even echoes in the vastness of existence. Perhaps even God contemplates, “What’s it going to take for humanity to live in peace and harmony?” Maybe his/her list of desired behaviors is just as long as my mother’s.
Interestingly, despite the shift in my own life and the evolving nature of my “to-do” list, that early question still finds its way into my vocabulary. Now, it’s often phrased as, “What’s it going to take for you to take better care of yourself?” It’s just one of many variations on the theme.
The beauty, and perhaps the frustration, lies in the answer. The answer to all these “what’s it going to take?” questions, whether from my mother, God, or even myself, ultimately resides within each of us. It’s not about external pressure or waiting for some magic solution. True change requires taking the bull by the horns and actively doing what needs to be done.
❤️❤️❤️