Yesterday Kathy Lee Gifford returned to the Today Show after grieving the loss of her husband, NFL football hall of famer, and broadcaster of Monday night football, Frank Gifford. She spoke courageously of their life together and of Frank's humble beginning during the great depression. She shared how the two went to the Holy Land to the Valley of Allah, where the Israelites where encamped when David fought Goliath. She described how they were instructed to pick up a stone as David had and how their guide explained to them that, 'the miracle was not that the Shepard boy was able to slay the giant. The miracle was that the Shepard boy, who had all the skills he would ever need in life [within himself], believed in a living God and not a religion.' The portion of her segment that really touched me was when she said, 'If you ever leave a legacy for your children, let it be that you taught them friendship with God, and you taught them to find their stone. Show it, throw it hard and well.'
That statement alone hit me so hard and deep. It got me thinking about my stones/talents (because you may have many) and if I was throwing/using them well.
The world today is moving so fast that we often miss the simple things in life. Like life itself, we are so busy trying to make a better life for ourselves that we are not enjoying the life we have. What's the point in adding more to your already ignored life? Why are we so afraid of slowing down? What are we racing toward? Is there a prize at the end of this never ending race that I don't know about? Most importantly why is it so critical to rush to reach this elusive treasure?
These, along with many more, questions have been on my mind lately. I have FORCED myself to slow down, reflect, appreciate, and praise. I know many of you, like myself, want our dash to mean something. (For those of you who do not know what I'm referring to by dash; it's the dash between the sunrise and sunset of our life.) My good friend, model, life coach, and challenge guru, Melissa January (IG: @iam_melissajanuary), often reminds us to, "Inspire before you expire." It's as simple as that. Believe it or not.
Slow Down. Its OK if you tap the brakes on some things. Your destiny is for you alone. No one can jump on your path and beat you to your destiny. Enjoy the journey. Learn from it as you overcome every obstacle and conquer every task set before you. Take mental stock of how it all unfolds right before your eyes. It's a beautiful thing, believe me!
Reflect. You can't reflect until you slow down. It's hard to reflect on a blurred journey. Replay what you've been through and are currently experiencing. How have you learned from it? If we don't learn on our journey we are destined to repeat it. Breath. You got this. Reflection is a good thing until it's not. Taking time to reflect allows us to...
Appreciate. YES!!!! Appreciate the journey! It's enhancing the life you have into the life you are destined to live. I use to hate situations I found myself in, now I appreciate them because they carve who you are destined to be. If you can't appreciate the process how can you appreciate the success. Appreciation leads to the ultimate...
Praise. If you don't believe there is something bigger than you that deserves your praise, than all is for naught. My source and the only one deserving of my praise is God. I respect those that call it placing your appreciation and accolades out in the universe; however, I call it praising and praying to God. He deserves ALL my praise. Whatever, name you put on it isn't important, what's important is the act. As the saying goes, "No man is an island." We do not achieve what we have or are destined to have by ourselves. So give thanks!
I promise you this. On your Journey to Now, if you take the time to slow down, reflect, appreciate, and praise, you'll see the elusive treasure/prize you've been racing towards has been in your possession this entire time!
One more thing...find your stone, show it, and throw it well. Selah!
Blessings.
L
