"The meaning of life is that it stops."
-Franz Kafka (1883-1924)

A good friend of mine graduated from Boston University Law School. At her commencement David E. Kelly gave the commencement address. As some of you may know, Mr. Kelly is the writer of many popular television programs such as The Practice, Ally McBeal, Chicago Hope and many others. He is also an alumni of B.U. Law School.

I was very intrigued by what Mr. Kelly chose to say to this class of new lawyers. He chose to talk to them about choices. He told them that even though it may look like they are heading down a predictable, unchangeable path of law firms and partnerships, it doesn't have to be that way. He reminded them that life was about following your dreams and passions. In a short 20 minute speech he inspired us all to discover what it is we wanted from this life and to not be afraid to break out of the mold in order to get it.

Sometimes it is difficult to see that we have choices. Sometimes we feel we are trapped by circumstances or by the previous choices that we have made that have led us to where we are now. I am here to tell you that you are never really trapped. To quote an old saying "where there is a will, there is a way." You might have to think very creatively. You may have to call upon outside resources. You may even have to make some hard choices and compromises. Ultimately, though, you have the power to choose how you spend your time, your money and your energy.

When take some time to get clear on your priorities, you will be rewarded. You will learn just how innovative you can be when it comes to figuring out how to make them a reality. Don't let yourself get stuck in "it's impossible" or "there's no way" thinking. There is a way. It is possible. The answer may be very different than what you might have guessed, but it just may work. Think outside the box! After all, this is the only life you've got.

Is there some area of your life where you feel stuck or trapped? What would you really need in order to be freed up from this situation? Challenge yourself (and ask your friends for help!) to think of all the off-the-wall, completely out-of-the box approaches that you can. Chances are you will create a crack of possibility in the stuck feeling...you will find at least some action you can try. Don't waste one more minute of your most valuable, and limited, resource: your life.Move forward today - don't stay stuck, start brainstorming!