Can YOU Change the World? I have a surprise for you.
You probably already have… for at least someone.
What I do for a living has allowed me to be in the company of some pretty extraordinary people. Luckily, I’ve had the opportunity to be around people who’ve built multi-million dollar businesses and people who’ve impacted the world in marvelous (yet in different than money) ways.
Some of them are arrogant about it. Some are humbled by it.
Some are friendly and kind, some… not so much.
But there’s something I’ve noticed about many of them that kinda, sorta saddens me.
And it’s this.
MANY… almost ALL as a matter of fact, I’ve heard say something akin to…
“I’m doing this to change the world. I want to make the world a better place and making money and giving back is how I’m doing it.”
Of course, THAT’S not what saddens me. I LOVE that so many are wanting to change the world and are willing to pour their heart and souls into doing so. They’re DRIVEN by that goal and it is a valiant goal.
What saddens me is this…
I’m afraid they’ll never achieve that goal even though they’ve already (unknowingly) achieved that goal.
Confused?
Let me explain.
They have this big, overriding goal and they see it as “a destination.” It’s a place they want to “get to” or they haven’t achieved their goal. And they don’t feel like they’ve really succeeded until they reach that goal.
Instead… Instead…
Of realizing that they’ve ALREADY changed the world (maybe even small bits at a time) and should stop frequently and celebrate their successes.
Let me give to a quick example with a quick story about a guy named Tony Brigmon.
Tony Brigmon… knew my family when I was growing up. He and my father were more than just acquaintances. They were friends who served together in many different capacities.
Even though they saw each other infrequently, I’m sure that Tony knew of our family’s struggles and difficulties.
One day, while at Church when I was 12, Tony walked up to me, wrapped his arm around my shoulder and said, “You know what Kyle. I can tell you’re a warrior and you’re going to do GREAT things in your life.”
I was a dumbfounded.
It was a tough time for me and at the time, I was extremely skeptical of adults and their motives.
I was tiny at age 12. Less than 75 pounds and consumed with attitude. And not necessarily the good kind.
I was too small and unathletic for sports, which I loved, so it was hard to get chosen for pick-up games. I was too frail to be a threat and get respect, which was important in my neighborhood. And as a family we were kinda poor, which brought with it taunts in itself. So, yeah. I had a bit of a bad attitude.
So, that day, when Tony said, “You know what Kyle. I can tell you’re a warrior and you’re going to do GREAT things in your life.”
Initially, I thought, “You don’t know me. You can’t have any idea what I’m facing in my life. Who are you trying to fool?”
But then I looked up at him and saw something I had only seen before from one other man. My Father.
Tony had a look in his eyes that I identified years later as… the look of “pure love.”
Looking back, I’m sure that’s why I remember the encounter as if it was yesterday.
I’m not a detail oriented guy, but I vividly remember that day wearing my favorite t-shirt (yep, to Church) that read, “Beach Bum.”
Truthfully, I was NOT in a good place at that age.
But what Tony had said… I JUST COULD NOT SHAKE the feeling it gave me.
And the look he gave me when he said it… it made me BELIEVE IT!
Was I a warrior? Was I going to do great things?
Could that be FOR REAL? Could he be right?
I could tell he meant it. That LOOK! HE believed it.
So… I thought… maybe, just maybe. If HE can believe that I’m a warrior, why can’t I?
Can you imagine?
Who in their “right mind” would walk up to a skinny little, scrawny, skeptical, angry (and going nowhere fast) kid… and say, “You know what Kyle. I can tell you’re a warrior and you’re going to do GREAT things in your life.”
Tony Brigmon… THAT’S who.
A guy who simply walked up, and in a spirit of pure love, looked in to a lost, little boys blue eyes, and said twenty
Twenty words that changed my life… and “Changed The World.”
Did you catch that? How Tony “changed the world” with a few simple words.
Here’s what I know. These folks, in an effort to “change the world” are ALREADY changing the world.
They’ve impacted SO MANY PEOPLE in SO MANY great ways it’s probably impossible to quantify.
It all sounds great, right? So why am I kinda sorta saddened?
They’re missing out on the celebration. They’re missing out on enjoying the ride and watching as others lives are improved. They’re missing out on the joy that they are creating every day.
They focus so much on “the goal” that they miss out on the joy of “the journey.”
Here’s what I’m suggesting we all do.
We need to tell them.
Has someone changed the world for you? tell them.
Has someone brightened your life? Tell them?
Let’s make sure they know it… and ask them to celebrate WITH YOU.
Let’s make sure all those wonderful people out there KNOW.
Maybe even “Tag Them” in this post so they’ll know.
So, here’s one last question for you.
Have YOU… changed the world… for someone else?
My guess is YES! My guess is YOU have changed the world… for SOMEONE.
Even if you don’t know it… I’m sure of it.
I’m telling YOU.
I’d like you to CELEBRATE YOU. Because I’m sure you deserve it.
Hip… hip… hooray! Hip… hip… hooray!
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