Excuse Me While I Live My Life

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For many of us, we go through life aimlessly trying to make it. The distractions, though not necessarily wrong, are so constant, we can easily lose sight of our goals. Whether it’s trying to pay the bills, or playing catch up with the Joneses, we tend to miss the point of life.

I was talking with a neighbor the other day. He is an artist. Some years ago, he had decided to leave the corporate world, sell his house and pursue his dream. He told me he had to forget the job, forget the things that most people strive for (like new televisions, cars, homes, etc.) and go out on a limb. He told me the things around him began to distract him from living life. Now, while most of us could/should never consider quitting our jobs, his passion is inspiring.

Many of those around us have come to see success as the gathering of things. However, isn’t it possible that success is defined by something much more meaningful? Isn’t is possible that success is defined by how we live our lives. You can live in a low to middle class neighborhood and still be successful. You can ride the bus and still be successful. Success is not defined by the stuff you have, it’s defined by what you do with what you have.

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green…” Psalm 92:12-14

Success is defined by how you live life. Success is growing strong, flourishing, bearing fruit, and staying fresh and green, no matter what circumstances you face. Don’t let your surroundings define you. Live life to its fullest every day, on purpose.

Now say this with me, “Excuse me while I live my life!”

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Our Deepest Fear…

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Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

It is true…sometimes we sabotage our own success. Stepping into your destiny doesn’t just bring liberation to you…it liberates others. I’ve said it for years, someone is waiting for you on the other side of your obedience. So what are you waiting for?

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Stand and Deliver

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In case you were unaware, we are in the middle of Hispanic Heritage month. In honor of this I decided to highlight an amazing Bolivian gentleman who turned East Los Angeles upside down by believing in a dream.

Mural of Jaime Escalante and Edward James Olmos in Los Angeles

In 1974, Jaime Escalante began teaching at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles. Escalante was initially so disheartened by the lack of preparation of his students that he called his former employer and asked for his old job back. Escalante eventually changed his mind about returning to work when he found 12 students willing to take an algebra class.

Determined to change the status quo, Escalante had to persuade the first few students who would listen to him that they could control their futures with the right education. He promised them that the jobs would be in engineering, electronics and computers but they would have to learn math to succeed. He said to his students “I’ll teach you math and that’s your language. With that you’re going to make it. You’re going to college and sit in the first row, not the back, because you’re going to know more than anybody”.

In 1982, Escalante came into the national spotlight when 18 of his students passed the challenging Advanced Placement Calculus exam. 1988 saw the release of a book Escalante: The Best Teacher in America by Jay Mathews and a movie Stand and Deliver detailing the events of 1982. During this time teachers and other interested observers asked to sit in on his classes. He shared with them: “The key to my success with youngsters is a very simple and time-honored tradition: hard work for teacher and student alike”.

I have always loved Escalante’s determination to achieve his dreams, even when the odds were against him. We all have dreams, but few of us have the determination to see them completed. We get distracted and discouraged by our circumstances and lack of resources. We lose hope, because it seems like sometimes we are only one who believes in it. I love how Shel Silverstein says it…

“Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.” Shel Silverstein (Children’s Literary Author and Poet)

If God has placed a dream in your mind, be encouraged that it is very possible to see this completed. Don’t lose heart, instead remain steady in your pursuit and hard work.

What are some dreams you have seen fulfilled in your own life?

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