Be That You

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." - Philippians 4:8-9

It is a triumphant life indeed that transcends both the past and the future, that mounts itself steadfast in the present moment, defiant to the last breath to find meaning in what is...not in what was, or what will be. Some days it's hard to see past the clouds. Some days are just dark in their own way. But on these days be a light. Do not be encompassed in the "what's" and the "if's", for they are small words meant to pin down your giant human spirit. Instead, lift your chin and make your own sunrise, push it out of you and measure its warmth in the smiles you can illicit on the faces of other people, no matter how small or brief, no matter be they from friends or strangers. If you can make them laugh? Even better.

If you look around you...I mean really look...you will see hundreds and thousands of suns. You will see the shine in the solemn witness of a dying man. You will see the victory of a mother foregoing chemotherapy, risking her own life to spare the unborn child in her belly. You will see it in praise and in sacrifice. You will see it in the mingled fingers of two high schoolers walking to school, young love standing firm in the face of a harsh world, refusing for now to grow old. You will see it in the smile of a child at school as he is learning something new. You will see it the joyful face of a girl singing her heart out with a voice beyond her years.

Witness it. Please. The shining victories of all the human beings around you. And let them witness yours. Life's full of things called defeats that, really, when taken in context, are just moments that are precursors to success. You weren't born, you weren't created, to be a creature of circumstance or loss. You were born to actively engage, seek, find, encourage, uplift and inspire. Be the you that holds rank in a universe that is vast, but not nearly as vast as your dreams. Be that person. C'mon. Give it a try.

I promise, you'll be pleasantly surprised.