Top of the Hill

Jack and Jill went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water.
Jack fell down and broke his crown,
And Jill came tumbling after.
Up Jack got, and home did trot,
As fast as he could caper,
To old Dame Dob, who patched his nob
With vinegar and brown paper.

The nursery rhyme above is a popular one, told time and time again to small children for hundreds of years. I always wondered if Jack or even Jill for that matter ever made it to the top of the hill.

It is never all that easy to make it up the hill in our own life. There could be 1070 steps to take, maybe even a slippery path that slows us down. But do we keep trying to reach the top?

For me, I like to think that both Jack and Jill eventually made it up that hill. From there they could see great and wide views of the life they have. I would imagine it to be quite a stunning picture that they see.

Each of us have our own hill or hills to climb. And from time to time we are going to fall back down and break our crown. And each of those times, you are going to get back to your feet and start back up the hill. You're going to make it eventually. You're going to see wondrous things. You're going to be on top of that hill.

Keep trying, keep climbing, never give up.

Epic Life

"Let go of the past and go for the future. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you imagined." -Henry David Thoreau

We have just completed a religious holiday that is observed by Christians around the world. Now before you go and leave this article, I am not here to preach or convert. I simply want to talk about your life and what you can do with it.

When it comes to Easter, it is believed by Christians that Jesus was crucified, dead and buried. On the third day (EASTER) he rose from the dead and his resurrection gives us renewed hope. While as a Christian I find all of that very powerful, what I also find amazing is just the life that this man called Jesus lived.

Whether you have faith and belief in the religious context around it or don't, it is the life he lived and gave up. His was an epic life based upon making it a great one for others and in turn, himself. I like to say that, "Epic is the word for all of our lives. Epic is the life that was given for all of us."

You have the ability to live an epic life. And no, I am not here to say that you can be greater or bigger then the man we call Jesus. John Lennon made that mistake in how he said it back in 1966. But what you can live is a big life, an epic life; one that impacts others and brings greatness into their lives. In turn, your life becomes greater then it otherwise would have.

To me an epic life is one full of every day, ordinary heroic acts. These are the types of acts that are not splashed across the headlines of newspapers. They are not ones which produce ticker tape parades. They are not acts which garner medals and plaques. An epic life is one in which you do the small things which make a difference in other peoples lives.

The holding of a door for someone carrying a package. Letting another car onto the freeway during rush hour traffic. Donating money to a needy cause or person. Saying "I love you" to your wife and kids as often as you can. It is a life of doing all the small little things which create big things for others.

Your life can be poetic in the sense that others will look at you and say, there goes a great person, there goes an epic person.

The World Wants You

"Like the sky opens after a rainy day we must open to ourselves.... Learn to love yourself for who you are and open so the world can see you shine." -James Poland

The week started with YOU and ends with YOU. The week was about how you are important to everyone and everything around you. You matter and that is what matters.

Once you figure out that simple basic thing, a whole new world opens up. You will have the confidence to move forward even further. And you will realize that while you do matter, it really isn't just about you. It is about how you involve yourself with that whole big world around you.

So be you; know that you matter and then spread the light which is you to those all around. See how your world grows and the world with you.

The ME in TEAM

"There is no 'I' in TEAM but there is ME." -Joseph Primm

It is an old team building phrase that says there is no 'I' in 'TEAM'. It is used to ensure everyone has a common goal or purpose. If a team executes as individuals, it is bound to failure. But if everyone works together then success has a much higher probability.

My version of the saying is meant to indicate that you are important to the team. Whether it be an organization of one hundred people at work or one of two people in a marriage, 'ME' matters. Your contribution to the goals being pursued by the larger group is critical.

The 'teams' you are important to can be formal ones; church, marriage, family, work, or bowling league. The 'team' might be an informal one such as your community, social network, or even the traffic on the highway.

Each part of these requires your participation. Everything you do or contribute has a direct impact on the success or failure of that team.

So the 'ME' in 'TEAM' does matter. You matter.