You open one eye, peer at it. Ugh. You look at the clock again. Yep. 6.00am. You can't believe it. It hardly seems like you just laid your head on the pillow. You stretch, yawn, contemplate calling into work "sick" like you do every other morning. You stretch some more then all of a sudden you find yourself sitting on the edge of the bed. Out you get. You trudge wearily into the bathroom, turn on the shower and step under the water. It fully awakens you and you start to think about the day ahead. Work.

You get out, towel dry, have some breakfast while you glance at the morning newspaper. Then, it's time. Time to start your journey to work - along with several million others.

Here's a question for you to think about... Who wrote that script?

All of you are on the treadmill. You are all singing the mantra: "It's off to work we go!" Sure you are. Don't despair. I've been there too - for many years I did just that. I went to work to pay the bills to go to work to pay the bills. It's called the "rat-race." You go to work to pay the bills week in, week out, month in, month out, year in, year out and you do it for decades. You do it like a robot until one day you ask yourself why. Why am I doing this?

Eventually you just can't take it any more. You have to make a change. Sometimes it is a subtle change. Sometimes it is a drastic change.

The truth is, we spend so much time working for everybody else just to keep our noses above the water line. I ask you again - who invented this system? Who commands that we keep repeating this over and over again? Obviously it was people a lot smarter than the robots who keep trudging the same path every day.

Another question - are you so infatuated by the safety of the system that you are prepared to trade the rest of your life for it? It's a glum existence but for so many, it is a safe existence. So they keep doing it. Are you one of those people? I was - once.

Eventually "the system" will decide that you are too old or too worn out for you to be useful to it any more. That is when you get "retired" or "pensioned off."

Now, in your old age and failing health you are allowed by those who control the system to enjoy yourself. You have finally "paid your dues." For the next few years you can really enjoy yourself. Finally, you can do all those things that you have always wanted to do all your life. You might even be lucky enough to last another ten or twenty years. Realistically you will last as long as your body allows.

If you have planned well along the way you might even own your own home. Of course, you will have to watch your meager budget. It has to last you the rest of your life. If you overspend one week then you might have to watch how much food you can put on the table next week. Occasionally, you might really be able to lash out and take you and your spouse or a friend to watch a movie.

Is this where you are headed? Am I describing the treadmill of your life?

Millions of others are doing exactly the same thing. They say that there is safety in numbers. Is there? Or is it all a big con? The system is all-powerful. Or is it? Have you ever asked yourself any of these questions? If you haven't done so yet, you will one day. And you will remember my words. Indeed you will.

What if you opted out of that system? I did. I can almost hear you saying: "Yeah, sure. How can I possibly do that?" You can. There are ways. Most things are possible. How much pain is enough for you?

Let me ask you this: "What is stopping you?" The bills? The children? Responsibility? The mortgage? Your credit card debt? All of the above? I know that.

I'll tell you what is really stopping you. Two things:

1 - Fear - the fear and uncomfortability of stepping out of your comfort zone.

2 - Uncertainty - the uncertainty of not knowing what else you can do.

Tell me I am wrong. Fortunately, if all these things are swirling through your mind I have a solution. I have created a system called "Journey, Life and Destiny" which will guide you through the maze.

So, let me leave you with these thoughts. What do you REALLY want to devote the rest of your life to? Do you want to continue participating in the humdrum rat-race of life like all the other robots? Or, would you prefer to create a destiny for yourself governed by your own set of rules? It all boils down to a simple choice. Rat-race versus personal destiny.

Do nothing and the choice has already been made. Others will choose your destiny for you. It's as simple as that.

Bzz. Bzz. Bzz. That's the sound of your alarm clock going off again. GET UP! You'll be late. The boss won't like that. Bzz. Bzz. Bzz.

This article comes with reprint rights providing no changes are made and the resource box below accompanies it.

About the author: Gary Simpson is the author of eight books covering a diverse range of subjects such as self esteem, affirmations, self defense, finance and much more. His articles appear all over the web. Gary's email address is . Click here to go to his website where you can receive his "Zenspirational Thoughts" plus an immediate FREE copy of his highly acclaimed, life-changing e-book "The Power of Choice." To learn more about your destiny click .