I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious new day begins to dawn in my Sweet Home Alabama! This one right here, this day, it is going to be a great one!
This is the 400th blog I have written. It is amazing to me how quickly time passes. I have written this blog during some of the greatest storms of life and during some of the highest mountain top moments. Doors have been opened to share with others in more than 10 different countries...it simply amazes me! :)
On this historic day - for me anyways! :) - I want to take a moment and go back to the root and then share a few thoughts/ideas.
"Happy Friday" is another tool I use to share a bigger concept. The concept, "What Will Your Influence Be...", is all about the influence you and I will have in the lives of every other person we have in our lives - whether for a moment or a lifetime. I believe, and science supports, you and I will influence every single person we cross paths with on a daily basis. This is not in question. The only question that each one of us must answer daily is, "What Will Your Influence Be...?" Will we be intentional or will we leave it to the whims of our feelings and emotions - which, by the way, can't be trusted? Will our influence be positive or will it be negative? Will we speak life or death? Will be be stepping stones to success or will we be stumbling blocks? While you and I are completely free to choose whatever we want, we are not free from the consequences of those choices. Yes Dear Friends, the words we speak and the things we do, even our countenance, impacts the lives of every person we encounter on a daily basis. You and I are pretty big deals, aren't we?! :) Yes, YOU matter! And no, you don't get to choose when you influence...you always are. It is not only on your good days...it is on all your days! Oh Sweet Friends, I pray - fervently! - that we would all use our influence wisely.
For those of you searching for the science, John C. Maxwell in one of his books sites research that found that the most introverted person will influence more than 10,000 people in their lifetimes. A year or so ago I found new research that found that the "average" person will influence more than 80,000 people in their lifetimes. Still question whether or not you matter? And now, let me blow your mind a little bit... 10,000 or 80,000 are pretty big numbers, aren't they? Well, what about the fact of the 10,000 or 80,000 that are influenced by the 1 you influenced! (Explosion sound) You see, our influence truly knows no bounds! When you are influencing 1, you are actually influencing the 10 - 80,000 behind that one. You and I, through our daily words and actions, have the potential to impact millions - sorry, too lazy to do all the math this morning!!! :) Hey, at least I got up early to write this!!! :)
I would be remiss if I didn't talk about the "other" part of "What Will Your Influence Be...?" It is actually the most important part. It is the part that fills our hearts and minds and informs the spirit. What are the things that you and I are pouring into our hearts and minds every day? Just as we influence others through our words and actions, we influence our own minds and hearts by the things we are pouring into, or allowing to be poured in, every day. I have shared this quote several times while writing all these blogs however it is worth sharing again, and to remind ourselves of over and over again.
"What's in the well, always comes up in the bucket." - Ken Whitten
We all want to be great when our greatness is required however things don't just happen because we want them to happen. We all "want" all kinds of things. It is the things that we intentionally DO that determines what will happen next. It is impossible to pour negativity into our hearts and minds every day and expect positivity to flow from us. Please think about it, and very thoughtfully consider, the things you will read, listen to, watch, etc.I also want to share a few thoughts with you as I reflect on this beautiful journey I am on.
1. Please never doubt the impact, or influence, of your belief in another person. There are 3 people in particular - Megan, Deb and Joyce - whose unwavering belief in me, and words of encouragement, got "Happy Friday" going and whose repeated affirmations over the years have kept me going. I have no idea what they saw/see, however I am so very grateful they did. I am reminded of the quote that is attributed to several different people - Just know it wasn't me who said it! :) - "Treat a man as he is, and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he could be, and he will become what he should be." Yes, your words and belief in another has a profound impact. To Megan, Deb & Joyce - from the bottom of my heart, and the deepest recesses of my soul, thank you! Look what WE have done! :) I love each one of you dearly and I am so very blessed to be on this life journey with you.
2. I don't know what the burden is that God has placed on your heart, I just know He burdens each one of us so we use whatever talents, gifts and abilities we have to love, care for and serve others. Whatever your burden, please fulfill it. Whether your gift is to write, sing, create something or something completely different...please pursue it. Don't worry about the outcome, I can testify with a pure heart that God will take care of that. You just shine your light and let Him worry about the rest. The answer resides in your heart. Find it and then exhaust the days of your life fulfilling it. I promise you, you will not regret it.
3. Well, there was a #3 however I can't remember what it was right now! :) Perhaps it will come back to me and I will share it during one of the next 400! :)
Hey! As I was proofing this, #3 came to me. "Happy Friday" actually started during a "storm" of life. It was a dark time for me however my heart was bursting to share thoughts, ideas, etc. with the simple, pure-hearted intent, of encouraging, empowering and equipping others to become all they are capable of becoming. As I have often reflected back on that time, I am aware/reminded that God's message is going to get out, He is going to use us, no matter the situation or circumstance. Man, that speaks deeply to my heart! I am inspired as I type these words. You see, Sweet Friends, I didn't know or understand it then, but God was literally using every situation/circumstance to fulfill the greater purpose He had. Would I have chosen that path? Nope, too big of a coward! :) Grateful He did? Without question! Please just remember, as long as their is air in our lungs, it isn't over. And that nothing can stop the plans of God. I don't know if that speaks to your heart or not...it certainly speaks to mine!
Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.
Have a great day, a wonderful weekend and please cherish your precious families.
Kev
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