Your Life, Not Theirs

“To wish you were someone else is to waste the person you are.”

There is a story about a small boy who was auditioning with his classmates for a school play. His mother knew that he had set his heart on being in the play - just like all the other children hoped too - and she feared how he would react if he was not chosen. On the day the parts were awarded, the little boy's mother went to the school in order pick up her son. The little lad rushed up to her, eyes shining with pride and excitement. "Guess what Mom," he shouted, "I've been chosen to clap and cheer."

Like many things, there can only be one Laurence Olivier to star in the stage production, only one Michael Jordan to sink the final winning basket, or the first John Glenn to circle the earth in space. All of us work and dream of being the "one" that garners all of the attention and success. We set our goals and ambition to be the best, the brightest, the most beautiful in the hearts and minds of everyone. We will try to define our success based solely on the highest pedestal others might place us upon.

There is possibility in becoming the greatest and most successful. There might be accolades from the mass public, cheering as you walk down the red carpet or ascend to the highest pedestal. But even the person cheering on the sidelines has greatness and success inside, inside where you are comfortable and happy first. That kind of success is determined by you and not by those around you.

And success can be as simple as being thanked for holding the door open for someone in need. Or by always being that person willing to help someone else, extending a hand to others. It could be greatness as large as the small boy being selected to clap and cheer, no matter what others may think. Success and greatness are wonderful things to strive for and accomplish in life. Just know it is you and the perfection that God made you to be which defines your great life.

Stay inspired my friends.