Visions of Gratitude

I imagine that there are many of us who view life with anticipation but with large doses of reluctance as well. The choices we make, great and small, have profound effects on the people we become as well as the impact we have on those that surround us. 

Decisions never seem to elude us. Every day we wake up and stare at our kitchen cupboard wondering between the menu choices of cereal or toast. We sit in our respective classes or professions staring at the tasks we have at hand and wonder "What happens if all this goes wrong?" Or how about something a little more long term. "If I study this career will it get me to where I want to go?" or "Is he / she the one I've been waiting for all of my life?" These questions as well as many more have occupied my mind over the last few days. As a result, one particular question has frequently come back to me:

"With boundless opportunity around every corner, what causes the reluctance that accompanies every decision?"

My Answer: Vision. Allow me to elaborate.

How many of us can see the consequences of the decisions we make? I certainly cannot nor do I believe there is a person in this world who can. Humankind, by our nature, seek for the things they can see and approach with skepticism  the things they cannot. Little do many understand that the most firm things we have in this life are those that we cannot necessarily see. This is hard for many to understand simply because they have not decided to accept the unseen truth. My friends, there lies a power much greater than ourselves that, quite frankly, I cannot fully explain nor can I persuade you to believe. Believe me, I tried to do it full time for a couple of years and not everyone thought the same way.

To illustrate my point, here is a little exercise for all those who are reading. I want you to think about the most difficult, heart wrenching, make-you-cry-your-eyes-out experience that you have had. What made it so hard? What led up to it? What happened afterwards? How did you cope with it? What did you learn? What did you gain? Where would you be without it? Did or do you regret it and try and sweep it under the rug or let it become a part of you?

Now for the big question: "Considering the above thoughts, what would you have lost if you saw the results beforehand and decided not to go through with it?"

On this special day, I am so incredibly grateful for the moments I have had when I was bent over or brought to my knees to seek help from someone I have never seen but know is there. I am grateful for the gift of choice; to NOT see the road ahead and still take seemingly gigantic steps into the unknown fog of the future. I am grateful for the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for the lessons I learn from the challenges I face each and every day.

Visions of gratitude stand before us every minute of every day. Let us take our eyes off the rocks of disbelief and cast them on the incredible possibilities that lie before us.

Roll On --Andrew

Worth

It seems like the posts are getting a little spread out again (it has been almost a month since the last one) but, as I'm sure everyone is aware, our priorities in life often are re-arranged to match our "needs" at the time.

I want each of you to take a minute to think about who you are. What makes you unique? What are your goals? What do want to achieve? Think about the things you have done, the challenges you have overcome, the blessings you have received and those you have given to other people.

You, my friend, are awesome!

Think about the impact you have in this world! Everyday you wake up, put on your pants one leg at at a time and say "I'm going to try my best today and I hope I can make it through." You can and you will because you are special! You have qualities that others don't have. You have a heart as big as gold and a mind as sharp as a surgical razor blade. You are changing the world with every minute that comes your way. What an amazing trait you have!

I have thought a lot recently on the world that we live in today. Every where around us there are things that are trying to define our self worth. What clothes you where, what music or TV show you watch. How many boys or girls want to have your number. I have fallen into the trap, as I imagine most of us have, of losing sight of the most important thing. So, you want to know the most important thing is?

You. Me. Us. We are the most important things.

We are all amazing because of who we are and the unique abilities each one of us have.

WATCH THIS (this is pretty important)

Now, I want you to imagine the impact you have on people when you identify those amazing characteristics they have. Can you imagine a world where everyone acted like this? Picked out the good from the traits the world would call mediocre or foolish? To help a person smile instead of break them down? Think about the impact of ONE minute. Of taking one minute of time to sit and talk with someone about themselves. Think about the impact of ONE compliment, of ONE small statement identifying a powerful quality that that ONE, single person has. Think of a world of smiles. What a place it would be!

But, why dream about it? Let's make it!

Take the challenge. See what you can do. Validate someone today and change the world one compliment at a time.

Roll On --Andrew