The Michelangelo of Lego

I was never the guy who was going to grow up to be a professional athlete.  I was somewhat athletic, but attending a large high school, I learned early on that I wasn’t on the athletic level of a lot guys I knew.  I wasn’t that guy.  But, over the years I have had the good fortune of knowing a few professional athletes:  An NFL Running back and Cornerback, a MLB Pitcher, and an NBA Small Forward.  I really look up to these men.  It’s impressive to me the level of success they’ve been able to accomplish. 

They inspire me to be better at what I do.

Thinking about those men, I realized that each of them has one thing in common – one trait that helped make them the men they became. 

They work their butts off.  In EVERYTHING they do. 

I’m serious.  If you sat these guys in a room and told them their job was to build a structure out of Legos, they would attempt to create the most glorious edifice you’ve ever seen.  They would put everything they have into it.  Here’s the interesting thing though…they probably don’t love Legos.  I’m pretty sure Legos aren’t their passion.  Who knows, they may even hate them.  But it wouldn’t matter.  It wouldn’t matter because they have all bought into a similar life philosophy.  Anything they set their minds to do, they attack it with the intensity of a runaway freight train.  It’s ingrained in them.  It’s who they are.  It’s how they rose to the level of success they achieved.  It’s how they approach life.  They work.

I see a lot of young people with big dreams but no work ethic.  They rely on their talent to get them by which only takes them so far.  They work hard on the things they care about, but let other things slip by offering little or no effort.  Big dreams require big work.  And a strong work ethic comes from giving your all in everything you do.  If it’s worth doing, then do it right.   

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. ~ Colossians 3:23-24     

1st Grade Freedom

If you were to walk into a room of 1^st graders and ask, “Who in here is a good artist?” or “Who in here is a good singer?” – it is likely that all of them would raise their hands.  Many of them may even start drawing or singing for you at that very moment! 

I can’t help but wonder at what point do we lose that?  At what age do we start comparing ourselves to others and coming to the conclusion, “I stink.”  Sometimes we grow up and overcome that negative thinking, but many times we don’t.  

STOP!

Life is too short to constantly compare ourselves.  Do what you love to do!  Do it just because you love it!  If you love to sing…SING!  If you love to write…WRITE!  Do what makes you happy – what you enjoy.  It will make your life and the lives of those around you infinitely better.  

Licking the German Shepherd

The 1986 movie Stand By Me ends with the line,

“I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?”

Stand By Me is a movie that resonates with people.  I don’t know all the reasons why but when I watch it, it’s like I can “feel” what it was like to be that age again – to have those friends.  And remembering back to when I was twelve, I have to say I agree with the author’s sentiment. 

There’s something about being around that age that’s difficult to explain.  Your friends are everything to you.  You worry about what they think about you, you constantly have “stuff” you need to talk about or do, and you share secrets that could ruin your 7^th grade reputation.  But you share them anyway.  You do it because it’s your friend and you trust them.  Every day feels brand new even if you’re doing the exact same thing you did yesterday.  You can have fun doing absolutely nothing if you’re with your friend. 

My best friend when I was twelve was Richard.  To me, he was like the Zack Morris of our neighborhood.  The coolest guy I knew.  When I reflect back on those days it seems like a lifetime ago.  A time when dirt bikes were Harley Davidson’s and pine cones were hand grenades.  But when I think of Richard, I still see the kid I grew up knowing.  Times change and people move on, but traces of those friendships remain. 

It’s like you can offer up a sly wink that says…I know how

goofy you used to be.

So, connect with your childhood friend.  It’s easier now than ever before.  Just say “Hey, I was thinking about the time you licked my German Shepherd,” or whatever your story is.  I KNOW they’d be glad to hear from you.