I govern my life according to a personal set of standards. Without getting overly religious, these standards were acquired from my knowledge and belief in God and His charge for my life. These standards are integrity, sacrifice, and a general care for those around me.
My life has been anything but dull. My personality is one that prefers to be on the edge... of everything. The earliest memories I have are of me pushing my limits to the point of either physical pain (learning) or punishment (also learning, but from an external medium... my folks). I had to know where the "edge" was at all times so I had a clear understanding of my limitations. Just like most kids, my parents told me I could be and do anything I wanted in life, but that never meant much if I didn't know my limitations. One lesson that stuck like crazy glue was that who I am and what I do when no one is looking truly defined my identity. Integrity. Now, this wasn't always a positive experience for me. I struggled with showing people what they wanted to see versus what I wanted to be. As a child I had a long, uphill road ahead of me that presented many opportunities to discover the man I wanted to be.... when no one was looking.
Sacrifice is also a solid foundation and personal standard I live by. I can attribute this to watching my dad. This guy sacrificed a lot of himself for his family. Sacrifice meant putting others before self. I have seen too many people in my life who are so focused on pleasing themselves first that they miss one of the core virtues of being human... the virtue of community. My dad's reward was far greater than anything he could have done for himself. His sacrifice benefitted his two children so we could be better, grounded, and determined. This life lesson has probably the most profound effect on me. Help other's around you and your needs will never be an issue. Basically, what comes around goes around, and I have never wanted to reap less than I deserve. So, I have accepted sacrifice as a valuable standard that keeps me focused on the bigger picture.
Finally, I care. My mother used to flick me in the back of the head when someone with a physical handicap would pass us. She would say, "that person didn't ask to be that way, and you didn't ask to be healthy... don't waste God's gifts." This standard was embedded in me at an early age. In elementary school I was called into the principal's office more than a few times for fighting. Almost every time this happened I was fighting the bully who was picking on someone who couldn't stand up to them. But I could. I never hesitated once to jump in for the little guy. Because I cared. I would not stand by and watch someone get abused for being different, and I still feel just as strongly about this today. I tend to believe people are generally good. I know there are a ton of folks out there who choose to evil things to good people, and I will take that stand every day of the week because I care. In today's world we can not afford to shun empathy. We need more people to care, and I won't contribute to a world that turns a blind eye to wrong doings. I will not waste God's gifts.
Now, throughout my life I have ridden the ups and downs of these standards, just as in my faith. But, I have recognized that every time I stray from these pillars I fall further from the image of who I want to be. Through integrity, sacrifice, and caring for those around me I will strive to be the best I can be and pass these standards on to my children. Pay it forward... sounds good to me.
JP
My life has been anything but dull. My personality is one that prefers to be on the edge... of everything. The earliest memories I have are of me pushing my limits to the point of either physical pain (learning) or punishment (also learning, but from an external medium... my folks). I had to know where the "edge" was at all times so I had a clear understanding of my limitations. Just like most kids, my parents told me I could be and do anything I wanted in life, but that never meant much if I didn't know my limitations. One lesson that stuck like crazy glue was that who I am and what I do when no one is looking truly defined my identity. Integrity. Now, this wasn't always a positive experience for me. I struggled with showing people what they wanted to see versus what I wanted to be. As a child I had a long, uphill road ahead of me that presented many opportunities to discover the man I wanted to be.... when no one was looking.
Sacrifice is also a solid foundation and personal standard I live by. I can attribute this to watching my dad. This guy sacrificed a lot of himself for his family. Sacrifice meant putting others before self. I have seen too many people in my life who are so focused on pleasing themselves first that they miss one of the core virtues of being human... the virtue of community. My dad's reward was far greater than anything he could have done for himself. His sacrifice benefitted his two children so we could be better, grounded, and determined. This life lesson has probably the most profound effect on me. Help other's around you and your needs will never be an issue. Basically, what comes around goes around, and I have never wanted to reap less than I deserve. So, I have accepted sacrifice as a valuable standard that keeps me focused on the bigger picture.
Finally, I care. My mother used to flick me in the back of the head when someone with a physical handicap would pass us. She would say, "that person didn't ask to be that way, and you didn't ask to be healthy... don't waste God's gifts." This standard was embedded in me at an early age. In elementary school I was called into the principal's office more than a few times for fighting. Almost every time this happened I was fighting the bully who was picking on someone who couldn't stand up to them. But I could. I never hesitated once to jump in for the little guy. Because I cared. I would not stand by and watch someone get abused for being different, and I still feel just as strongly about this today. I tend to believe people are generally good. I know there are a ton of folks out there who choose to evil things to good people, and I will take that stand every day of the week because I care. In today's world we can not afford to shun empathy. We need more people to care, and I won't contribute to a world that turns a blind eye to wrong doings. I will not waste God's gifts.
Now, throughout my life I have ridden the ups and downs of these standards, just as in my faith. But, I have recognized that every time I stray from these pillars I fall further from the image of who I want to be. Through integrity, sacrifice, and caring for those around me I will strive to be the best I can be and pass these standards on to my children. Pay it forward... sounds good to me.
JP
No comments:
Post a Comment