Will you give your Life or live your Life?

give-your-life-400x350

So… have you ever had
that feeling that something
really big is going to happen
and you don’t know what it is -
only that it’s important?
That’s where I’m at right now.

Somewhere between now and when I hit SEND
there is something so important and big that
I don’t even know where to begin – or how to
describe how badly I need to share it with you.

Now, some time ago I had mentioned…
No. You know what ?
Let’s just begin as if you don’t know anything about me.

I’m the father of a now 7 year old boy, who has truly
given me a bigger heart and a deeper capacity
to love than I ever had before he came along.
And, like most any parent, I would give my Life for him.
For those I love and care for, I would sacrifice my life
if it meant saving theirs. If you’ve ever been in the military,
or consider yourself patriotic – I’d be willing to bet
you’d give your Life for your Country.

For whatever cause we believe deeply enough in,
there can be no greater expression of it
than to sacrifice one’s Life for it.
EXCEPT…

Living your Life for it,
instead of giving your Life for it.

Last night I watched a movie called “7 Pounds”.
In essence, a man’s carelessness caused the death
of 7 others in an auto accident. He then dedicated himself
to the cause of creating new lives for 7 other people,
the final price of which was his very Life.
And though I admire his ultimate sacrifice,
I believe there is a greater gift we can give.

What if…
What if we gave our Lives instead of our Life ?

Couldn’t we do so much more by giving of our time, talents,
abilities, and resources over the course of our lifetime ?
And even better – a LONG lifetime at that !

I say yes.
And… it just dawned on me:
you may not think you’re “that” person.

OK.
I’ve got keep my cool about this because I may not know you.
And even more so – because I may !
Here’s what I’ve discovered about most people.
They have a trailer park mentality.
Why do I call this a trailer park mentality ?

Many years ago I watched a movie called the Last Starfighter.
One of the greatest messages in history is in that movie !
Cliff’s Notes version.
Alien recruiter (Centauri) comes to Earth looking for kid (Alex)
who broke the record on an arcade game that was actually
a Starship simulator. After a somewhat cryptic “motivational”
message from the alien ambassador / recruiter to Alex
(AKA the kid from the trailer park),
The kid (Alex) says

“I’m not any of those guys, I’m a kid from a trailer park.”
and Centauri says:
“If that’s what you think, then that’s all you’ll ever be !”

Now, it is with the greatest amount of self control
that I do not scream at you right now and tell you
that I don’t care if you’re a kid from a trailer park
or the Vice President of the United States.
I don’t care if you’re a high school dropout
washing dishes at night to feed your 3 kids -
or if you’ve won the Nobel Peace prize… twice.

You DO have what it takes to alter the course of not only
your Life but especially the lives of others as a result.

So why wouldn’t you ?
Seriously – knowing that you can, why wouldn’t you ??

Again, staying calm here -
but do me this favor and wrap your head around this.

IF YOU KNEW YOU COULD CHANGE THE WORLD,
WHY WOULDN’T YOU ?

I’ve got to say that if you’re reading this and
you’ve read this far down the page -
the ONLY reason a person like you wouldn’t
is because you think you’re just a kid from a trailer park.

You don’t think you’re “all that”.

Great.

Then at least we can see eye to eye.
Because there’s one more thing I know if you’re reading this.
You’ve got far more potential to make an impact on the world
around you than I ever will. Don’t even try to tell me different
– just accept it, and stop making excuses.
(And if you dwell on this point, you are missing it)

Hang on.
This might not be tactful, but I really want to
cram this thought down your throat.

YOU have the ability to make a positive and
meaningful impact in the lives of those around you.
That’s not an opinion.
It’s not something I’m just saying to make you
or anyone else feel good or warm & fuzzy.
Quite frankly the fact that it’s true is a real source
of frustration to me and keeps me up most nights.

You’re not just a kid from a trailer park.
You’re not just a guy working behind a counter.
You’re not just a gal answering phones.
You’re not just…

What you are is a miracle of virtually untapped potential
waiting to be discovered and unleashed.

Now what will you do to move the World around you
now that you and I know you can ?

And dare I ask would you give your life to loving,
living, and giving the gift that is your Life ??

heart-in-hands-BnW2