You get one life. Make it count. Live in a way that makes a deep impression–a positive one.
Live in such a way that makes people’s lives better for having known you. People need you. You may not think so, and THEY may not think so either, but it’s true–they do need you, in some way.
Use your skills, talents, gifts, knowledge, and wisdom to serve the world. Again, to make people’s lives better, to make the world better.
Everyone has at least one “super hero” quality about them, and most have more than one–that quality you possess or thing you do that is truly amazing.
Share it with the world, often. And not just with the “beautiful people” of the world.
Super heroes–some can swing from skyscrapers with their special web, some can fly, some can stop a freight train, some can stretch themselves, some can shrink themselves . . .
. . . some can sing like angels, some can draw beautiful pictures, some can help children learn and feel special, some can make great business deals, some can listen, some can persuade, some can inspire, some are funny, some can always make us feel good, some challenge us to reach higher, some can simply be quietly present with us when we’re sad, some are good with numbers, some are great with make up and helping others become physically beautiful, some are good problem solvers, some are unbelievably hard workers with strong backs, some are always loyal and dependable and steady as a rock . . .
Yes, some of you still have to develop your super hero ability. Keep growing, keep developing. We’re all still growing and developing. And, it’s never too late to start.
Nor is it ever too early to begin expressing the best of who you are.
Did I tell you the world needs you?
Get outside of yourself. It’s not only about you. Put your cell phone down long enough to look around. There’s a big world out there.
Come out of your little bubble and take a whiff. There’s people out there. Some are desperate. Some are desperate, and it’s obvious. Most who are desperate, though, you’d never know it–you’d be surprised (we’ve all been completely surprised by people we’ve known who’ve taken their own lives–we never would’ve guessed it in a million years).
You might not like people very much. That’s ok, they might not like you either. It’s not about who likes whom. It’s about getting outside of yourself and making a difference.
The smallest acts of kindness that you do are often the most meaningful to someone, and the most profound.
I remember a time in my life when I was at my absolute lowest, and the barrista at Starbucks gave me a warm smile as he handed me my coffee. It brought tears to my eyes.
I still remember it years later like it was yesterday.
Never minimize the impact you can have on someone. Your kindness might heal someone, and might even save someone. Literally.
Strange as it sounds, that barrista’s smile healed me a little . . . maybe even saved me in some way.
It’s not just about “things” and “stuff”. That never satisfies and fulfills, not really. In fact, it only excites a deeper existential ache within us. It just takes most people getting to the point of being old enough to finally realize this.
You want a thrill? Do something for someone who has absolutely no way of returning the favor or paying you back. In fact, do it in secret, so they have no way of knowing it was even you who blessed them.
Be heroic. Don’t live “small”. Live in such a way that’s worthy of your potential. But not to serve yourself and your own pleasures. Sure, keep a slice for yourself. But I promise your life will be much more meaningful if your heroism is pointed at others.
You have no idea how much people need your heroism. And, you have no idea how much you NEED to be a hero to others.
So then, go be a hero.