Let Go, But Do Not Give Up!
Nick Vujicic and his family
“When the world says you're not good enough get a second opinion.” Nick Vujicic. “You always have a choice to be happy, no matter what is going on in your life. How you react to anything determines how you feel about it.”
THE ROCKING CHAIR TEST —Take a moment and imagine yourself at 85 years old. You’re in your rocking chair, reflecting on how you’ve lived. Imagine your life if you did whatever it is that makes you anxious or fearful; maybe it’s changing careers, learning to fly a helicopter or taking a trip somewhere new. How do you feel? What’s your life been like as a result of the decision? – Tony Robbins, created the “Rocking Chair Test.” This is a powerful took he uses with clients and utilizes the powerful feeling of regret to motivate and inspire people to push through their anxieties.
DEBUNK THOSE LIES / LET GO
Are there dreams/goals you put on the shelf because of insecurity, doubt, fear or anxiety? I know I have. Today, I am dusting off those dreams and goals with the new experiences, wisdom, information and resources I have learned along the way. I am so thankful I can revisit those goals/dreams and decide which ones I want to resurrect and see what manifests as I pursue them TODAY. How about you? You have the strength and wisdom within you to do whatever you want. No matter the number of setbacks you face or have faced, you have the strength to keep going. The only way you can win is to first WIN it in your mind. LET GO of the perfectionism, fear, worry, over thinking and step over into the freedom to be the person you desire and want to be.
The Oak tree can withstand incredibly strong storms, like tornados and hurricanes. Even when they are stripped of their leaves, oak trees survive because of their strength, their curvy branches, and their incredible root systems. It has been stated that the bark can be used as an antiseptic, astringent and tonic. This one tree has several characteristics that come out in different seasons, circumstances and during unforeseen forces outside of its control. What about you? You are one person who has characteristics of strength, wisdom, tenacity, survival, and deep roots developed by “life.” You bring healing to others with your smile, caring heart, compassion and giving attitude. So, LET GO of “I” and switch it to “WE.” You need others to help you on this journey. The Oak tree needs its branches, bark, leaves and the deep root system to all come together to make it a mighty tree.
YOU DON’T EAT HALF BAKED FOOD
There is not one successful person alive today who has not tasted failure in their life — think about failure as a necessary ingredient to becoming successful. For example, salt is an essential part of the baking and cooking process. Salt enhances sweetness and blocks bitterness; it is a flavor amplifier. So, sprinkle some problems and failures (your salt) into your recipe, and in the end, it will taste sweeter and be your best recipe yet!
Anyone who knows me, knows I am not a great cook or baker. However, I do know if you do not cook or bake food to its completion, it will not taste good and turn out the way the recipe intended. If you undercook chicken, you may get sick. If you undercook a cake, it will be soggy and fall apart. A chef doesn’t “halfway” cook your meal because they are tired of waiting for it to be done. A baker doesn’t “halfway” bake cookies because they are losing confidence the cookies will turn out. Giving up is a lot like that…you may be halfway there, three-quarters of the way there and now you decide to stop in your journey! Ask yourself, “Why do I want to give up?” The dream needs more time to marinate, grow and develop; you need more time to mature, grow and develop to step into the space of your dream. Don’t stop now!
THEY DID NOT GIVE UP!
Steve Harvey: Comedian and host of the Steve Harvey Show lived in his car for three years and was broke. He believed he had a direction from God, and he left all behind and set out into his dream and goal to be on TV. It came with a price, and for years all he had was his faith. Today he is household name. He did not give up.
Colonel Harland Sanders: A 6th grade dropout. At age 65, a new interstate highway interrupted his life and diverted traffic away from his restaurant leaving Sanders with only his secret fried chicken recipe and a Social Security check. So, he began selling his recipe and franchise idea. He did not become a professional chef until he was 40. He did not franchise Kentucky Fried Chicken until he was 62, and he did not become an icon until after he sold his company at 75. He did not give up.
James Dyson: It took 5 years and 5,126 failed prototypes for him to develop the world’s first bag-less vacuum cleaner. Ten years later Dyson setup his own manufacturing facility since other manufacturers wouldn’t produce his vacuum. Now he has the bestselling vacuum in the world. According to The Sunday Times, in 2017 his net worth was 7.8 Billion Pounds. He did not give up.
J.K. Rowling: Speaking at Harvard’s graduation, she spoke about failures: “You might never fail on the scale I did, but it is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all—in which case, you fail by default.” When Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter book, she was divorced, bankrupt and on welfare. Rejected by a dozen publishers, one agreed to publish it. However, that publisher told Rowling she needed to get a job because there’s no money in children’s books. She did not give up.
Helen Keller: In February 1882, she lost her sight and hearing due to an unknown illness. She learned to use her hands to interpret and connect with the world. Keller graduated from Radcliffe College in 1904 as the first blind/deaf person to obtain a bachelor’s Degree. She became one of America’s most inspirational figures of 20th Century and lived her life with a fierce determination to not let her disabilities hold her back. She did not give up.
YOU (put in your name), what is your “I did not give up” story? Share in the comments below. You did not give up.
“We can do anything we want to do if we stick to it long enough.” “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved.” Helen Keller
Galatians 6:9 “let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.” AMPC version
THIS I KNOW…
I want to encourage you my friend to open your hands to receive change, opportunities and failure as you step into your dream. Keep them open to freely receive and freely give. We may not know the timeline of when our dreams will come into fruition, but I know and believe, God has not brought you this far to let it all fizzle out.
“There is something to be said for keeping at a thing, isn’t there?” Frank Sinatra