“I am a flower quickly fading,

here today and gone tomorrow

a wave tossed in the ocean,

a vapor in the wind”

These are the first few lines of the chorus in one of my favorite church hymns.  I feel grounded and completely vulnerable when I sing this song.  Rightfully so.

Unfortunately, too many people  lose sight of what is truly important in life and dwell on their own fear, guilt and resentment.  But, Why?  What can we stand to benefit from focusing on these things?  Does filling our time with negativity, even if it is on a sub-conscious level bear fruit?

Yes, indeed we can and should learn from our mistakes.  Yes, we should seek to create a comfortable and safe environment for ourselves and loved ones.  Yes, we should learn to forgive and forget.  I agree that in order to achieve these things you sometimes experience fear, guilt and resentment; however, life is too short to allow these things to drive your actions and choices, therefore YOU!

When you stand on the beach, with your toes in the warm sand and look out at the vast ocean, how do you feel?  When you are sitting on a plane, as it takes off and you look out the window….the cars get smaller and smaller until they begin to resemble ants climbing on an ant hill, how does this make you feel?  These are the moments when I reflect on how small my problems truly are.

So, instead of dwelling on negativity we should seek to create positive circumstances for ourselves.  When you are behind on bills, don’t sell the recreational vehicle sitting in the garage or the antique which was passed down from your grandmother.  Create new income.  When you are in poor health, don’t resign to a life of illness.  Seek other means of remedy.  When you are just plain stuck in a rut, pull yourself out through self-improvement and development.  YOU are your own best asset, never forget this!

I understand that this is difficult for most people.  Sadly, we would rather hang on to this negativity as if it was a life raft.  Because for many people there is comfort and a false sense of safety in that which is familiar.

Recently, I had the privilege of seeing a man speak at a leadership seminar.  He is the founder of a successful MLM company in the current market.  He used the following analogy which resonated deeply within me.  I hope that you can also glean a new understanding of the human psyche from this as well.

“I have a 50 lb. chocolate labrador retriever who loves to play fetch.  So, I keep a big bucket of tennis balls on my back deck.  Last week I went out to play fetch with him.  I pulled one ball from the bucket and bounced it a couple of times on the deck….this got his attention.  His tail was wagging and he was ready to play!  I threw it out to the back yard, and he ran out to get it.  He picked it up and ran it back to me, dropping it at my feet.  I picked it up and threw it out again.  He ran, picked it up and brought it back.  But, this time after he dropped it, I picked it up and it was wet from his saliva.  I threw it out in the yard one more time.  This time it landed in the flower bed.  After rolling around in the dirt it was completely coated, and I was not about to touch this one again.  So, as he ran back up to the deck with the dirty ball in his mouth I drew another clean ball out from the bucket.  I bounced the new, clean ball a few times before throwing it out into the yard.  He took off running to retrieve the new ball.  However, when he got to the new ball he realized that he had a dilemma.  Of course he realized that he still had the dirty, slimy tennis ball in his mouth.  Unsure of what to do and not willing to give up the ball he already had, he laid down next to the new ball that was within reach”

For me, this story perfectly animates how we, as people approach a new situation.   I encourage you, if you have an opportunity presented to you, one which may positively impact your current circumstance, help you grow as a person or may just offer a new adventure in your life…..take it!  Let go of the life raft and get on board the rescue boat.  Leave the dirty tennis ball behind and pick up the new one.  Embrace life, because as the song goes:

“I am a flower quickly fading,

here today and gone tomorrow

a wave tossed in the ocean,

a vapor in the wind”