Be yourself, everyone else is taken
The great German poet, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, once wrote:
“Are you in earnest? Seize this very minute:
What you can do, or dream you can, begin it;
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
Only engage and then the mind grows heated;
Begin and then the work will be completed.”
25 years ago today, we shared our first kiss.
A couple of years later, we were married.
About nine years later, Hayden joined us.
Madison and Logan were born two years after that.
Not every plan works.
Loved ones get sick.
Jobs get lost.
Businesses go under.
Relationships flounder.
We’re not born with the ability to lead and influence.
Or the capacity to build strong relationships with a diverse range of people.
Or the resilience required to bounce back from disappointments.
Or enthusiasm and passion.
Or great problem solving skills.
In the short term…
… yelling at people gets them to work harder,
… spending too much money on stuff you don’t need feels good,
… sitting around all day is comfortable,
… online rants at total strangers or celebrities make us feel important,
You’re not here due to a random set of strange coincidences.
You were created with a purpose in mind.
I don’t know what that purpose is for you, but I know that it is noble.
I know that it will be challenging.
I know that it will make things better.
Don’t take your family for granted.
Or your job.
Or your health.
Or your house.
Or your faith.
Before a big race or exam, Japanese people will often use the phrase, “gambare” to encourage the other person.
It means go for it.
Do your best.
Hang in there.
It’s easy to smile on the best of days.
It’s not that hard to make a positive contribution when everything is going well.
It seems logical to have a sunny disposition when the sun is shining on you.
And when your character is being tested, we can all put up a facade of having strong values.
But what about on the worst of days?
If you think of something as a chore, it will feel like a chore.
If you think that a task can’t be done, chances are that it won’t get done.
If you think that the meeting is going to be boring, you won’t be as engaged going in.
You may think that it is, but is it really?
