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 week I saw an 8 minute video that was so simple and yet so profound in it's wisdom. Now, you can save yourself some time and simply go on YouTube and watch a video titled, "Brutally Honest Valedictorian." It is a video of Kyle Martin giving his speech at graduation from Kings Academy on May 31, 2019. Even if you choose to read this Happy Friday, where I am simply going to share the God-inspired wisdom of Kyle, I would strongly encourage you to take 8 minutes and watch this amazing young man deliver a message that we all need to hear over and over again.
Kyle begins his speech by sharing how he had learned a year ago that he had a chance to become Valedictorian. This is something he decided he badly wanted and he set a goal to pursue. Ever been there, when you think you want something so badly, that you just have to have it, that you begin working tirelessly to accomplish it? Most of us have. And then, Kyle accomplished it, he became Valedictorian. He talks about how great it felt to be at the awards banquet to have his name called and to realize that he had accomplished his goal. And he beautifully talks about how great it felt to stand "at the top of the pile of all my accomplishments"...for about 15 seconds. And then, like many of us who have given everything to accomplish something, in the 16th second he finds himself rhetorically asking, "That's it?"
Kyle is an incredibly engaging speaker and he shares so many nuggets of wisdom. For the most part I simply want to walk you through what I considered to be the highlights of his beautiful speech.
Having the unsettling question of "That's it?" stirring his soul, Kyle went in search of the answer as to why he felt so...empty. He then has several beautiful things to say in rapid-fire succession.
He points out that "working hard is good...it is in fact biblical." He continues on however with, it "should not be done for the sole purpose of a goals sake at the expense of relationship with others." Success, however you define it, whatever mountain you are trying to climb should not be "paid for at the expense of relationship with others." You see Sweet Friends, their is a price to be paid for everything in this life. What price are you and I willing to pay?
At the 4:24 mark of the video, Kyle brings it home like a 2 x 4 between the eyes. In quick succession he talks about these prices paid:
- The "career you chose over your spouse."
- "money that you pursued at the detriment of your children."
- "Instead of just the Instagram worthy picture it's striving to be famous at the expense of time with your friends."
Kyle share two great reminders/insights:
1. Yes, we get our 15 seconds of euphoria as we realize we have accomplished something however there always "must come a 16th second." It is the realization that no matter what you accomplish, there is going to come a moment when all the adrenaline pumping excitement ends. What are your left with then?
2. "A lesson learned should be a lesson shared." What a great reminder for us all! And then, thankfully, Kyle shares the lesson he learned from his experience.
The lesson Kyle learned from his successful pursuit of becoming Valedictorian is this; "Have no regrets in the 16th second." He continues on, "Nothing is more important than your healthy relationships, nothing." Now on a roll he says, "Relationships are where we get to influence, impact and change peoples lives." And then there comes the 2 x 4 between the eyes - "Your life cannot be meaningful without them [relationships]." I will give us a moment to compose ourselves! :)
Incredible, right? Again, I want to strongly encourage you to go watch this video. Whether you do or not, I want to challenge each one of us to have no regrets in the 16th second. Yes, work hard. Yes, have goals and dreams and pursue them. The hope and prayer is simply that we will count the cost we are willing to pay on the front end and make sure that when the 16th second comes, and it always comes, make sure there are no regrets and that there are others there to celebrate with you!
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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