Thursday, March 10, 2011

Your Gift that Keeps on Giving!


Today's post is about the need that each of us has for self-actualization. We are most fulfilled when our lives are used in service to our fellow men. As we take this journey, let me give you a brief testimonial.

When I started The Upbeat Dad organization last October, I felt strongly that writing the blog would be a fulfilling experience. I had a message to share that I thought could impact the lives of people all around the world. I knew in general what I wanted to write about. The specifics would work themselves out along the way.

What I didn't know was that the blog would have taken off so quickly. We're now at a pace where we have over 1,000 hits each week. And as I always say, each hit represents a life that can be touched by our positive message.

Also, what I didn't know was that I'd have so much material that I could do a blog post each and everyday. I really thought that after a while, I'd end up repeating myself because there are only so many issues to write about concerning fatherhood - or so I thought.

These days, I'm so consumed with work as an accountant and writing the blog posts and planning the community forum and building relationships with colleagues, readers and others, that I don't write each post quite as timely as I'd like to. Besides, I'm a husband and father, so my 24 hour life is really consumed with activities.

But believe me when I say that there is no shortage of material to write about. Every day - literally ever day, I get new ideas to write about. I really don't go looking for them - they come to me. Sometimes it's as a result of me just thinking about life. Sometimes it's from something in the news. Sometimes it's from something a member of my household says or does.

Sometimes it's from talking with a member of my extended family or a friend. Maybe it's from someone who I'm speaking with for the first time. My point is that there's always some new message to share to encourage others, even if the nature of a subject matter isn't quite so positive.

This leads me to make a very important point. Please make note of this because it can literally change your life. Most persons want to make a positive impact on the world in some way, shape or form. We often don't know how we can be most effective - we only know that we want to make a difference.

Here's how you know that you're on to something big: when everything you do, think and say on the matter causes what you envision to expand. Let me repeat that: you know you're on to something big when everything you do, think and say on the matter causes what you envision to expand.

This is so profound that it can change your life. If you look throughout history at the lives of the great men and women who have shaped our world, you'll see clearly that a common thread connects each of them. Their work is much bigger than them.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died over 2 centuries ago, yet he's still celebrated today as one of the most brilliant musicians the world has ever known. Mother Theresa of Calcutta died in 1997 but today her work is synonymous with the sacrificial giving of one's life for the advancement of others. Martin Luther King died the year before I was born yet the dream about which he spoke still lives on today.

Each of these persons had a vision and as time passed, the vision came to fruition and lives on today, even after their deaths. Think of Walt Disney. He passed away so long ago, yet people from all over the world flock to Disney theme parks to be partakers of what was just a dream in his head decades ago. "I'm going to Disney World," is a familiar cry of professional athletes as they win championships in their sports.

What I'm saying with this post is that when you want to impact the world in a meaningful way, you'll see the tangible evidence that you're making an impact as you move along on your journey. Let me also quickly share this word of caution: it doesn't really happen overnight. More often than not, it takes years to come to fruition. But if you believe in your vision and feed it with positive thoughts along the way, in due time, it will come to pass. And when it does, it's like the floodgates open up for you. What seemed to take years to happen starts unfolding in minutes.

I first dreamed of making an impact on a global level in 1995. I got married in 1996. When that marriage failed in 2001, my world got turned upside down. Still, I wanted to share a positive message with the world. And today, 16 years after I first had the vision to make a difference globally, here we are: on a daily basis, people on every continent are being encouraged by this message. And believe me, the vision is unfolding minute by minute, day by day.

I want to encourage you to do the best and to be the best for yourself and for your family. We are all created to serve each other with our gifts and talents. No one is born without a purpose. However small or insignificant you think your gifts might be, each gift, when developed, can grow into something larger than what even you might be able to comprehend.

Oh and by the way, as your gift takes effect, it will compensate you and your family beyond your wildest dreams. Not simply by financial means but more with the fact that you're impacting the lives of others in a meaningful way. Money should never be a motivator for us to serve others. But in the process of serving others, in time, believe me, the money does come.

I hope that this post has lit a fire in you - one that leads you to accomplish great feats. And as you serve others, I hope that you will be rewarded not only financially but also with the satisfaction of knowing that through your efforts, the lives of others are enhanced. That's something to live for, right?

May your life's journey be filled with the fulfillment of knowing that your gifts will make a difference not only for today but for generations to come.

Enjoy your day.


The Upbeat Dad

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