The Millenisance- Episode 2: Acknowledge Your Greatness
Acknowledging our greatness is a feat that unfolds in many ways. Sometimes, it appears as a sudden epiphany or realization. Other times, it is a subtle, steady blossoming as we become more secure within ourselves. Many people are raised to govern themselves as "insubstantial" but cloak it with the term of humility. Whereas humility is an act of paying honor and reverence, walking through life with an air of timidity serves no one, not even yourself.
We are already living in our greatness until something, or someone introduces us to the concept of playing small. We are born to reach towards progression and evolution, yet we slowly forget who we are as we grow in a spiritually confined realm. When a child is learning to walk and continues to fall to the floor, voices of encouragement celebrate every step. When a toddler recites the alphabet with glee, there is no one mocking the little one if a mistake is made. Though these small children fall, mispronounce words or drop their food from their spoons, almost everyone understands their learning path and practices patience. They know that someday, these little ones will be able to dance, write poetry or cook gourmet meals. We see the spark of their greatness and their potential. We once were them.
There are some who fear what we may become, and they devise plans to silence or hinder the spark within us before it becomes a brilliant flame. They will throw obstacles in our pilgrimage, rocks of negative words and avalanches of secret blockages. We cannot let people or circumstances close us into a box. It is our right to be all that we can be. To be anything less is a violation of spiritual law.
Somewhere along the way, many of us have lost patience with ourselves and have filled our souls and ears with wretched criticisms that do not enhance nor serve us. We wait for others to tell us about who we are. But why wait when our own mouths can prophesy a great destiny over our lives? We must make a decision.
Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways. Job 22:28 (KJV)
In Week Two from the book The Last Year of Your Life, the author challenges us to write about things that we have accomplished in our lives. But for some, ten things may be intimidating, so I have altered the assignment.
ASSIGNMENT 1
Go back into your memory bank and find at least ONE thing that you have accomplished in your life.
The achievements can vary from person to person. Some examples are:
-Receiving your high school diploma
-Overcoming an unhealthy habit or dangerous addiction
-Becoming a parent
-Learning an instrument
-Increasing your kindness
-Allowing yourself to rest
-Learning a new language
-Deciding to be better
The author also suggests finding someone that knows you personally and asking them what THEY think you have accomplished. Write it down and remember it. Seeing your greatness through the eyes of others can be encouraging.
Sometimes, there are certain characteristics that we must develop in order to express our greatness in the most dynamic way. In the book Life Makeovers: 52 Practical and Inspiring Ways to Improve Your Life One Week at a Time, the author asks us to do the following task:
ASSIGNMENT 2
List a new habit or character trait that you wish to develop. Once you have found a trait, list three actions that you can perform on a daily, weekly, monthly or yearly basis to attain such a quality.
For example, perhaps you would like to acknowledge your superb skills as a guitarist, but you lack discipline. You would like to make a profit from your dreams, but you may be too haphazard in your routine. Three actions that you might take are:
1. Set a specific time of day or day of the week to practice.
2. Seek out venues to play your guitar or post your solo performances virtually.
3. Research and practice more ways to master your skills.
An action plan is motivational fuel. Take the easiest steps first and build upon your achievements. Concentration, diligence, creative thinking and confidence can create gateways to success.
May our greatness shine through us radiantly for the entire world to witness and admire.
"Nothing can be sweeter than the discovery that we each have a unique and important spiritual purpose and identity. It gives meaning to everything."
-Rev. Ed Townley, Kingdom Come