Today I spent the day thinking about…
Me.
Not entirely, but the fact of the matter is I spent a bit of time thinking about my life, what I wanted to achieve, where I wanted to go, the impact I felt like I could have, and other such matters. Which, I thought was pretty important stuff.
Until later today.
It all came to a crashing halt this evening. We were at the pool, and there was this little girl there. Royce and Zoe had totally adopted her and were playing with her like a newfound sister. She looked like she was four years old, a tiny kid. Very sweet. The girls loved her.
I later found out she was 10.
And that wouldn’t get much bigger for the rest of her life due to a genetic issue. Some of the chromosomes didn’t just work out the right way for her, yet they worked out fine for me…and probably most of you as well.
Today I wanted to write, and I had a lot of things I was going to blog about. Vision. Passion. Persistence. Purpose. Energy. Somedays not a lot comes to my mind. Today was one of those days where the opposite occurs, I could’ve written for hours.
And then it hit me, so hard, instantaneously and in less then 30-seconds. It was like a wave of emotions and it lead to what was both a rapid and reflective moment; I’m not sure there was an epiphany, but rather just a moment in time that reminded me about how fortunate I am. Really, I don’t even know why I’m blogging about it. But after five minutes at the pool, I just looked at Erica and told her it was time for me to go and write.
It’s not that this little girl isn’t fortunate as well, in her own way. And yet I realized in seeing her situation all the breaks I’ve been given. The access, the shots, the opportunities. Some of it I’ve had to work for, and really hard. There was/is a price to pay. I don’t feel like stuff just falls in my lap.
But then the reality is, that other pieces had a lot to do with the right time, right place. Or, perhaps, I just had the right look. Degree. Background. Experience. Mentor. Team. Whatever.
Maybe things fell more into my lap than I realize, or care to admit. If I were born in Kolkata, India, I’m quite certain I wouldn’t be here doing this. Or at a pool tonight. And writing a blog. Chances are I’d be on the streets fighting for scraps.
So then there are those other people…that inspire me, despite circumstances whether it’s due to something I can’t relate to–where they were born, the family to whom they were born into, a genetic mutation from which there is no simple or future solution.
And I get reflective, and inspired.
I get inspired by the people who made it happen who didn’t have a lot, it wasn’t given to them. To me, the story of Chris Gardner is inspirational. The story of Jack Welch is not. It’s not that Welch wasn’t really good. He was. And it’s not that he didn’t work hard. He did. But, the truth of the matter is, to a degree, the deck was lined up for him. Surely, for a good number of people it is and they STILL don’t activate their potential (Welch certainly pushed his potential to the max). And that’s too bad. But for a lot of people who are successful, well, there were also circumstances that really helped drive it (read Outliers by Malcom Gladwel if you think otherwise).
Yet, then there’s guys like Chris Gardner. Who still had some breaks, but man a lot fewer than the rest of us. Or kids who are ten, and getting older, that live in the body of a four year old whose physical dimensions will change remarkably little over the next decade.
And that stuff just hits me. It’s about the odds, possibly. Not just that I like the underdog story, but that I’m humbled and inspired by it. It makes me realize how much I have, and perhaps at times how little I really do to maximize it–or appreciate it.
Today, I started with thinking about me. And through an exceptionally odd moment, a small point in time that I wasn’t even looking for, barely aware of at first, it led me to just a moment of reflection.
And gratitude.
For the gifts that I’ve been given, but beyond that, for the inspiration that others provide me, through what it is that they can and will accomplish, in spite of circumstances that might be much more challenging than those of which for which I have had to manage.
Which is why I love this quote from Teddy Roosevelt:
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
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Great quote!
Sometimes, where you are in life means you need to compromise your wishes ( I can relate to that right now ). π
And, this is all you can do with what you have at the moment, but if you can see the larger picture you know you are working towards a goal.
Luke 12:48
“…From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked”
Good thoughts Rich. I think about these kinds of things often. I have been blessed in life in so many ways but am I doing enough to give back to others. Am I helping other realize their dreams? I have concluded that I can “never” do enough for others but I am on the right path as long as I “continue” to do for others. Have a great weekend.
What a blessing! We need to regularly ask ourselves, “How, through experiences like this one, are our lives being transformed?” This 10 year old girl ministered to you. Likewise, your daughters ministered to her because of how you and your wife are raising them in humility, putting others before themselves. Through this process of being transformed, we have a responsibility, not for one another, but to one another. Ministering to one another is the responsibility of everyone within the community of believers. Thank you for your service. I pray you will continue to be used in the transformation of people’s lives.
Thanks again, Rich!
It seems you have been given the talent to be the “voice” of the “heart” of Univera. If anyone questions that the true culture of this company is as good as it seems, I point them to this site.
True humility comes from appreciating others and that what you have is a gift.
Best wishes to Erica and our two young ambassadors, Royce and Zoe.
As I focus on bringing the best people to our event tomorrow night, I very much appreciate the quote you shared as well as the story of the little girl. βDo what you can, with what you have, where you are.β Yes, that’s what we need to do. I was touched by your words and reflection.
Thank you for inspiring me once again.
see you soon,
Hi Claire, thanks for your comment. Loved the event and being with all of you, and I have so much confidence that your leadership in taking the next step, moving forward, and bringing on board additional leadership will transform the Portland (and Greater) area–along with that of the other leaders we have in the area.
Thanks for hospitality, enthusiasm, and persistence.