Happy Friday, Friends!
I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious new day, a blank canvas, begins to dawn in my Sweet Home Alabama! 😊
This week’s Happy Friday is going to be a short, sweet dose of encouragement!
On Wednesday morning I was listening to Focus on the Family. The guest was Dr. Mike Bechtle, and the title of the program was, Giving Up People Pleasing for a Better Way to Live. You can listen to the program at https://www.focusonthefamily.com/episodes/broadcast/giving-up-people-pleasing-for-a-better-way-to-live-part-1-of-2/.
Dr. Bechtle made a
statement that really caused me to pause and thing…he said:
“We’re often told we need to soar like an eagle. And if I’m a turtle, and that’s how God created me, then that’s going to be really frustrating, because I’m going to spend my whole life thinking I need to soar. They’ve told me that’s what’s important. And so many people tell us what we need to do, and I want to please them, so I’m trying to soar like an eagle. But I can do things as a turtle. If I can learn to accept the fact that God made me a turtle, I can do things that an eagle can’t. I have ground skills that an eagle would never have. And to be able to understand that.”
I totally saw myself in that statement and from that was born two pieces of encouragement I want to share this morning.
First, I want to really encourage us to be very mindful of the words we speak – The tongue has the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21). I totally saw myself in the statement Dr. Bechtle made. In a very pure-hearted way, meaning nothing but good, I have encouraged others to soar however I never looked at it from the perspective of the turtle. Shame on me, I must do better.
I remember when I really got slapped in the face with the concept of all of our lives are unique and different. Our role as spouses, partners, parents, and friends is not to try to determine the path of another but rather to encourage, empower, and equip others on whatever path they are on. As a dad, it was very easy to be interested in the things my first two Tender Warriors, Payton & Gehrig, were interested in because, well, they were the same things I was interested in. We loved to play and watch any sport…being a dad was super easy. Then one day my youngest Tender Warrior, Landry, was sitting in our home office watching the military channel. They were breaking down the technology of a tank and he said softly under his breath, “I hope I get to drive one of those someday.” You see, Landry is by far the most athletic person in the Haslam family, and he could absolutely care less about sports. Does not want to watch them, does not want to play them…could literally care less. And in that moment, when I heard that sweet little voice whisper the dream of his heart, there was this deep conviction in my spirit – “It is not about you, Kevin. It is about this boy and his path. Your role is to help him become all he was created to become.” The message was received loud and clear, and I can honestly say that I have spent my life from that point to this – probably 12 years or so now – simply trying to encourage, empower, and equip others to simply be the best they are capable of becoming.
Back to the main point, let us make sure our words are not inadvertently sending a message we do not wish to send. Here is an example that comes to my mind; instead of focusing on societal standards, let us encourage others to simply become the best they are capable of becoming. (Note, I did put a period there) So when the boys were younger they would say, “I got a [put whatever grade you want here] on my test.” My response was never, “Great job” or “You could have done better.” No, I simply asked, “Was that the best you could do?” If the answer was “yes,” then it was enough, regardless of the grade and if the answer was “no,” then it wasn’t enough, regardless of the grade.
Death or life is in the power of the tongue…
Second, I want to simply ask you a favor; please fulfill your potential. That is it. Whatever your gifts and abilities, develop them to the fullness of your ability. Be the best version of yourself, walk your own path, and simply compare yourself to the version of yourself that you were yesterday. Whether you are 8 or 88, the dawning of each new day gives you the opportunity to once again rise up and become the best you are capable of becoming within that day. When you lay your head on the pillow tonight, give yourself the gratification of knowing that you emptied this day of every last drop of its potential. If you are an eagle, do not worry about the turtles…or even the other eagles, for that matter. Simply be the best you. (Yep, put a period there again!) 😊
I am going to close by sharing a few quotes.
“You are unique. You have different talents and abilities. You don’t have to always follow in the footsteps of others. And most important, you should always remind yourself that you don’t have to do what everyone else is doing and have a responsibility to develop the talents you have been given.” – Roy T. Bennett
“I find that the best way to love someone is not to change them, but instead, help them reveal the greatest version of themselves.” – Steve Maraboli
“When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everyone will respect you.” – Lao Tzu
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, please cherish your precious families, and please stay well.
No comments:
Post a Comment