BRIGHT SPOTS FRIDAY
This past Monday, the 29th of April, I had the pleasure of attending a gathering for a friend… an affair that celebrated a milestone achievement for her. Admittedly nervous and a bit reluctant to take center stage, she stood in front of a crowd and shared part of her story. So much of what she touched on was powerful, but the thing that I heard loudest was this:
Give what has been given to you.
There is a popular Saint by the name of Therese of Liseaux, who once wrote, “Use the gifts you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.” Coincidentally, she was beatified by the Pope in 1923 on April 29th.
Think about the knowledge you have gained in every area of your life. Think about the failures you have had. The successes. The lessons learned. What are you doing with the knowledge; the gift, the talents, the abilities that are deep within you? What are you doing with the blessings you have received? If you share, you could be having a lasting impact on someone else. You could be hitting someone at the exact time they need it. If you are in the fortunate position to learn something, and in turn become whatever you can imagine, you should take the time to inspire others. It’s possible that you are inspiring someone to imagine what to them is unimaginable.
How does this translate to what we do at the gym everyday? Take a look at the coaches by which you are surrounded on a daily basis. These folks are truly passionate about sharing what they’ve learned, what has worked for them, what will make you better. We have a crew of 12 members…completely separate from our coaching staff, who are part of our Ambassador Program. These are fellow athletes who enthusiastically share their experience at the gym and whose aim is to help newbies embrace the possibilities at Nevermore.
The coaches and ambassadors are transformed as well. Think about this: If you share an idea with 10 different people, they get to hear it once and you get to hear it 10 times—making you even better. You become an expert by accruting 10,000 hours of practice, by accumulating 10,000 repetitions. Passing on what you’ve learned to SOMEONE ELSE makes YOU better.
In his book Leading an Inspired Life, author Jim Rhone gives this analogy:
Part of this will come if you’ll translate for other people what you feel in your heart—as awkward as it might be at first, don’t hesitate to do it. Because sharing makes room for more.
If a glass is full of water, can it hold any more? The answer is yes. YES—if you pour some out. If you want more, you’ve got to pour out what you have, and then you have the opportunity to receive more.
Now, unlike the glass that remains the same size when you pour some out, not so with human beings. Your capacity will INCREASE the more you share. You’ll get bigger and bigger and bigger.
Why the self-interest wish to be bigger? Here’s why: to hold more of the next experience. Some people can’t hold much happiness because they’re too small—their thinking is too small, their activity is too small. They’re too small in their ability to share. They’re just too small.
But the bigger you get, the more you will receive. When happiness is poured out, you’ll get more. When joy is poured out, you’ll get more. When bounty is poured out, you will get more. If you share what you have and become bigger.
There is an African proverb, EACH ONE TEACH ONE, that was used by slaves in America to pass on reading skills, since they were forbidden by law to get an education. Anyone who was fortunate enough to learn how to read by whatever means would teach another, secretly, carefully.
The phrase has also been adopted by the Delancey Street Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco that provides residential rehabilitation services and vocational training for people with a history of substance abuse or criminal convictions. The organization incorporates the “each one, teach one” principle by having each client act as a mentor to successive clients in academic subjects and trades varying from masonry to catering.
The power of Each One Teach One is this: If you are in a position that is allowing you to live with PURPOSE, don’t miss out on the opportunity to help and improve those around you.
Therese of Liseaux, also known as “the little flower” wrote, “Love proves itself by deeds, so how am I to show my love? The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love.”
If being inspired by a religious figure isn’t your bag, heed the words of a character we can all relate to. Tomorrow is after all May 4th. In the immortal words of Yoda, “Pass on what you have learned. Strength. Mastery. But weakness, folly, failure also. Yes, failure most of all. The greatest teacher, failure is. Luke, we are what they grow beyond. That is the burden of all masters.”
Congratulations on your milestone, Friend. And May the 4th be with you.
What is your Bright Spot this week?!