There's something to be said about accomplishments, accolades, and advancements. We all work hard to reach goals, benchmarks, and ultimately our destiny. When you finally get there who's really responsible for your success? Is there anyone that you thanked along the way? What about the people who supplied you with the resources necessary to arrive at your "final destination"? [Making you truly "free" to move about the country]
I'm thankful for all the folks who have invested in me time and time again; however, there's ONE individual in particular who deserves most of the credit. And so I will give credit where it's due and boast in 'em a lil bit...
Psalm 16 (NKJV) [d-shedRemix]
1 Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust....11 You will show me the path of life;In Your presence is fullness of joy;At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Amen.
Getting to the point rather quickly...I've done what seems to be a lot of great things in my short life-span which covers less than a century. The reality is I sought a power and influence higher than myself and through that was allowed to participate in some really kewl adventures and touch the lives of people that I could never have reached without stepping a foot outside of "my city" (i.e. My comfort zone); even with the Internet readily available to be used at will, some tasks must be carried out in person.
To-Done List:
1 Corinthians 1: 31 (NLT)Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”
*I couldn't do this alone*
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
Here are a few things I've done and why they're important...specifically not because I've done them but due to the fact that they are contrary to the norm (i.e. What some people think is normal).
- Went to Community College [C.C.] after graduating from an "elite" high school #flippedThat
- Contrary: Originally I thought I was too good for a C.C.
- Participated in AmeriCorps straight out of high school #flippedThat
- Contrary: Never had someone who was "so young" been hired by these specific individuals.
- Age was also a factor for not wanting to hire me
- Funny Story: Original job (another one) I was going to work rescinded their job offer the same day once they found out I wasn't legal
- Went to a rapidly growing undergraduate institution with more than 95% of tuition covered #flippedThat
- Contrary: How many students do you know with loan debt?
- Came all the way to Pittsburgh for graduate school free of charge #flippedThat
- Contrary: I'm a country boy...usually we stay there and "don't go nowhere"
- SN: At times if it wasn't for the institutions here I'd say I'm still in the "country"
- Contrary: I knew no one at my point of arrival
2 Corinthians 10:18 (NLT)18 When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.
Yea...not really into sharing my resume either.
Why?
The quick skinny:
- I want you to know how great my God is
- I want you to reflect on how far you've come (e.g. Personally, Professionally, etc.)
- I want you to find something worth boasting in
What does this mean for me? #theReader
If for some reason you think that everything you've done up to this point is mediocre or not worth celebrating #thinkAgain We all have gifts and talents. Some are called to be leaders and others followers. You have something worth sharing and you're good at it. Go figure it out! Also, if you're a believer it's time for you to acknowledge the real reason why you're able to do ANYTHING.
If you're good at something and you've proven it, go ahead and brag a little...but then stop, challenge yourself with a more difficult task and see where you end up. Many people don't like folk who have all of these great things to talk about in what seems to be a boastful manner specifically because they don't know their story. If they knew your story and what it took for you to get where you are they'd celebrate along with you...or just be jealous; that's kewl too.
This is F.U.N. (For Ur Needs) Use your KEYS
- Know that you are unique
- Expect to give credit where it's due because 9 times out of 10 you can't only thank yourself
- Your success is a combination of multiple factors
- Stay humble...there's power in humility
Challenge
- Think about something or someone that you could boast in and why. Bragging isn't always a bad thing as long as you're not doing it in a negative way (e.g. Putting someone down).
Bob Ya’ Head
King Like Mine (Trip Lee ft. Alex Medina)
