No Bystanders

I was recently forwarded an email of a eulogy a high school principal gave for a student that had passed away from his school.  The point of it all was that we should all avoid, at all costs, being a "bystander."  Bystanders are not involved in anything, never offer a true portion of themselves, and let things occur around them that they really don't agree with.  When we consistently find ourselves in a "bystander" role, the damage done to our self-image, psyche, and our soul is often irreparable.  There is no better feeling than stepping out of a bystander role and getting involved, giving of our talents and stepping up for those that cannot do it for themselves.  When we do that, we feel better about who we are and we are more productive.  Getting involved is one of the greatest forms of giving we can offer.  In this season of giving, consider giving your time, talents and treasure rather than relying on others to do it all.  What a great gift for yourself!



Game 6: A Lesson in Resilience

The St. Louis Cardinals World Series Championship was a lesson in resilience for all of us.  Admittedly, I am not the staunchest of baseball fans, but this team really got to me.  Down to their last out and strike, on the brink of elimination not once, but twice, the Cardinals refused to give in to defeat.  I watched game 6 and threw in the towel to the very tough and talented Texas Rangers more than once.  Yet, thankfully, the Cardinals never gave in.  I wonder how many times we concede defeat in our lives when the battle is not really done?  Do we always fight the good and worthy fight to the end?  Or,  do we concede defeat even before we have exhausted all our mental and physical capabilities?  Are we picking the "worthy" battle to fight or are we wasting our energies on a fight not worth fighting?  The Cardinals found a worthwhile battle and taught us a lesson in resiliency. 

The St. Louis Cardinals remind us all that when we enter into a worthy battle, we always win when we exhaust all our mental and physical resources to the very end. 

"Change Takes Persistence, Not Brilliance"

A school principal I met in Tennessee this summer made this statement to me.  She said, "Making change takes persistence, not brilliance." This simple, but profound quote sheds its truth in all areas of our lives.  If I want to get in shape, the consistency of the workout matters most in the long run.  If I am looking to learn a new skill, the persistence with which I practice and study the skill will lead to mastery. 

Sometimes we avoid undertaking what seems to be a daunting task because we feel we lack the intellectual capacity to complete it.  Sometimes we have to venture into the land of incompetence.  Of course, intelligence does play a major role, but so does the relentlessness with which we pursue the undertaking.  In the end, I think the persistence wins out.