I just returned from a Leadership Meeting in Chicago with 269 other leaders from the Midwest region. It was a long but amazing two days. The first day is what I would like to share with you.We were fortunate to have Dr. John Izzo, an author, motivational speaker, and a very in depth human being share with us about his latest project, a book, which he turned into a whole day of self discovery for us. His project is about conversations with a group of elders in Africa belonging to several tribes. All of the elders were all over the age of 80 and shared their own philosophy while looking back at their own lives. They talked about what they had accomplished, what they didn't, what they would do again and what they wouldn't, and if they could give their life's wisdom to others, what it would be and why. Pretty stirring things.
So, without going on and on, the focus of all of their words of wisdom boiled down to four major points.
1. Enjoy More
2. Reflect More
3. Return More
4. Take Risks
The fourth one intrigued me because of this quote he shared:
"As you go on the way of life, you will come to a chasm - JUMP - it's not as far as you think"
Isn't it true? When we are faced with the unknown, don't we cower away from it, not going forward to see what is there? Life is full of chances and risk taking. If we never take that leap of faith, what will we ultimately miss? We can't be afraid.
I can think of two instances in my life that I took that jump and both times I grew and became a much better person for jumping.
It is all about faith, prayerful consideration, giving of ourselves unselfishly while not being selfish to ourselves in the meantime. Everyone deserves happiness, but sometimes we need to take that leap to find it. It is about walking with God and "listening" when he speaks to us. He gives us blessings and we tend to take them for granted. We have God moments when we know that God had a hand in the series of events, but we don't see or hear His message because our eyes are not open to it.
We are here for a purpose and something is different because we are here. Cease the moment, be here, enjoy life, but don't procrastinate ....for in the twinkle of an eye, you or others can be gone and the chance of a lifetime gone also.
We were asked to give him suggestions for the title for his book of conversations.
1. Enjoy More
2. Reflect More
3. Return More
4. Take Risks
The fourth one intrigued me because of this quote he shared:
"As you go on the way of life, you will come to a chasm - JUMP - it's not as far as you think"
Isn't it true? When we are faced with the unknown, don't we cower away from it, not going forward to see what is there? Life is full of chances and risk taking. If we never take that leap of faith, what will we ultimately miss? We can't be afraid.
I can think of two instances in my life that I took that jump and both times I grew and became a much better person for jumping.
It is all about faith, prayerful consideration, giving of ourselves unselfishly while not being selfish to ourselves in the meantime. Everyone deserves happiness, but sometimes we need to take that leap to find it. It is about walking with God and "listening" when he speaks to us. He gives us blessings and we tend to take them for granted. We have God moments when we know that God had a hand in the series of events, but we don't see or hear His message because our eyes are not open to it.
We are here for a purpose and something is different because we are here. Cease the moment, be here, enjoy life, but don't procrastinate ....for in the twinkle of an eye, you or others can be gone and the chance of a lifetime gone also.
We were asked to give him suggestions for the title for his book of conversations.
Mine was:
Retrospect......Conversations with Living Wisdom.
Retrospect......Conversations with Living Wisdom.
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