As I am approaching my 42nd birthday, there have been a handful of things that I have noticed about my life that I used to never give much thought to. Over the last fifteen years or so, I have come to gain a much deeper understanding of what life really is and what it is supposed to be about. I like to refer to it as, “the further you go, the more you can see and the more you can see, the further you want to go”.
But as I count my blessings and give thanks during this time of year, the one thing I am probably most thankful for and has made the biggest impact on me during this time is the people around me. Those who have supported me, encouraged me and those who have played a mentor / coaching role in my life. These are the people who have truly helped me to see my potential, lifted me up and helped to shape me into the person I am today. Yes, it has taken the interest of many over the years for me to become… well, me.
I have a mentor that is always telling me: Scott, any and all success will in fact require the collaboration and cooperation of other people. Had he told me this a few years ago, I am not sure I would have believed it, at least not to the extent I do today. This statement is so true. If you think about it for a moment, no matter what we are going to pursue, follow or go after, it will require the cooperation of others. No matter if you are starting a business, becoming a top salesperson, advancing at your job, chasing your dreams or even becoming a hermit. Yes, even if you want to go live in a cave away from everyone, it will still require the cooperation from others because they will have to agree to leave you alone.
Along my path of life, I have indeed had some very dynamic and gifted people enter in. What is equally important is that I have known it when they showed up. I can’t tell you how I just knew that I knew. I also have come to understand that most of the time these important people only stayed in my life for a season. A season upon which I needed them to help me get to the next level of my life. A few of them were so crucial that had they not shown up at that point in time, I know for a fact my life would have turned out to be very different from what it is today.
So, we need the collaboration of people, no matter where we are, to help us. They are usually the folks who have walked down the path of life before us and often, have the answers we seek. I want to encourage you that if you have or have had these folks in your life, those who have made a profound difference and have taken an interest in you, thank them. Not just with a “thank you”, but with a heart-felt message of what a difference they have made to you. I believe a sincere display of gratitude to those who have taken an interest in us, is the least we should do to give back to them.
Throughout time, great leaders, pastors, teachers, coaches and mentors have all come to be great because they too had someone or somebody’s who lifted them up and supported them. They simply could not have done it without the collaboration and cooperation of others. This week, make sure to give a heart-felt “thank you” to those who have supported you. Without them, who is to say how differently your life would have turned out and the blessings you have right now may have never shown up.
Have a great Friday everyone, be blessed.
No comments:
Post a Comment