Life’s experiences have taught me that when I am low I can be high, when I am sick I can be well, when I am depressed I can be exuberant, and that when I am poor I can be rich.
Success has never taught me anything of great significance. Oh maybe one thing – the need to remain humble.
But it has been in failure that this pupil has been ready to learn. It has been in the depths of despair, and in the blockade of bumbling that I have become wealthy with the riches obtained while dwelling in the state of a pauper.
For it is in the land called low, the shire called sick, the district called depressed, and the province called poor that I have come to realize that without a life yielded to the one who breathed life in the first place into this clump of mud – a man is nothing – a wisp of wind that is here one minute and then, in a breath, is gone.
And it is at that point that in my weakness I have been made strong. In my sickness I have been made whole, and in my poverty I have become rich. From depression I have been transported into a state of oppression – oppressing the very demons of doubt and crushing underfoot the gremlins of guilt that have harassed me. From inactivity I have instantly sprung into a state of action – overcoming fear with every step forward.
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By living a generous life, you are in fact giving two gifts every time that you give one to another who may be less fortunate than yourself. For the gift you give is the gift you receive.
Let me explain.
Every time someone chooses to give, something happens on the inside. It’s as if a spark of life is ignited within. Simultaneously, it’s as if a gift has been deposited into the depths of your very own heart. And particularly, if you have no expectation of a return, nor a thank you – nothing – it makes the whole experience just that much more richer.
For every gift you give, so that others live, you will receive the gift of life. And that is why a giver will always be a longer liver.
The reason is quite simple. The principle of giving is guided by a universal law. That universal law is the law of sowing and reaping. It clearly states that as you sow, so shall you reap.
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There is a benefit that arises from being hungry. It inspires the search. It initiates the hunt. It releases the motivator. It unveils the inspirator. It invites creativity, and it provokes innovation.
None of us like hunger pangs, but the very fact that we are hungry – for whatever reason – stirs us into action. There is an inbuilt mechanism that is set in motion to solve the problem, overcome the challenge, or climb the mountain that stands before us.
Hunger for the achievement of a goal. Hunger for the fulfillment of a dream. Hunger for the provision of a better life for you and your family. A hunger to be in the company of mentors and peers who have similar values to you.
So stop feasting on failure. Refrain from partaking of that dinner called defeat. Pull away from feeding with fools. Wisdom says that there is a fast that you need to partake of if you are ever going to be fully satisfied. And that place is the place called hunger.
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One of the highlights of every day that I live is to spend a portion of it in the company of wise men and women. I do this in person, but predominantly I spend time with them in the form of the written or spoken word.
This morning I’m spending it in the company of one of the wisest men who ever lived upon planet earth. He was a king. His name was Solomon, and he has written some powerful words that have been recorded so that I can learn from him in the 21st century.
Through the book of Ecclesiastes he calls many things that we strive for throughout our lives as vanity – with no real lasting effect. In his words, ‘Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.’ But I always like to read the end of books, and at the end of this book he concludes with ‘ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.’ Eccl 12:13,14
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You were born to live in abundance. You were created for significance. You were planted on planet earth to succeed.
The pathway between your birth and death was designed for life – abundant life – more life than you could have ever thought possible.
But in order to experience that life you are going to have to pursue it, overtake it and possess it. You must speak it into existence. You must walk in it before it materializes. You must surround yourself with those who are living the lives that you desire as your own.
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