I frantically darted around the house searching for my keys. I looked under the couch. I looked in the basket where the keys would normally be. I checked the table, the countertop, and the dresser in the bedroom. After looking and looking I put my hand to my head in despair and felt the rigidness of my keys. They were in my hand all along.
What are you holding? At some point we have all felt as though we don’t have what it takes to be successful. Maybe you’re a teacher and had a frustrating conversation with a student. Maybe you’re a leader and your employees aren’t following your vision. Maybe you’re a parent and your kids have gone astray. Whatever the case, life sometimes gets the best of us and causes us to doubt our ability and our purpose.
What we don’t often realize is that the fortitude we need is likely already within us. The determination you need is already a part of your nature. The idea you are looking for is somewhere in your mind. Ask yourself, what is in your hand? What do you possess that you may have overlooked or put on the shelf for years? What ability will be necessary to fulfill the purpose you have in life? Although you may feel it exists in someone else, I encourage you to open your hand and see what you are holding.
I HAVE PROBLEMS IN MY HAND
Most people don’t look at problems as positives. Why would they? Problems tend to cause us headaches and heartaches. It would be weird to wake up everyday and say to yourself, “I hope today brings lots of problems!” But is every problem a hindrance to our progress or do some problems propel us towards our destiny?
Scientific researcher, Jim Allison, chose to devote his career to studying the immune system after learning about T-cells in the 1970’s. He endured the difficult tasks of uncovering the different receptors that play a role in our immune system and then decoding the structures of the proteins in an effort to see how they worked together. His work led to his pioneering role in cancer immunotherapy, which has helped many people go from living with cancer to being cancer-free.
Inc.com writer, Greg Satell, wrote, “Einstein spent a full decade pondering special relativity and then another decade on general relativity…You have to understand the problems in a particular domain before you can begin to solve them and recognize a truly novel solution.” What problem are you holding on to with one hand that you will eventually solve with the other hand?
I HAVE PROGRESS IN MY HAND
Life keeps going whether we want it to or not. All of us are given 24 hours in a day. What we do with that time is up to us. If we are active and intentional with those hours we will make progress in some way. If we are active, intentional and purpose-driven we will make progress and a lasting impact in the lives of many people. Don’t get bogged down by looking at how far you still have to go. Be encouraged by the progress you’ve already made.
Benjamin Franklin said, “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” Every journey has a starting point and an ending point. What happens in the middle is what makes us who we are. The middle territory of progress is where character, perseverance, and vision are fortified. It is true that we should begin with the end in mind but we need to keep in mind that there are many important steps to undergo before that end can be reached.
I HAVE PURPOSE IN MY HAND
Knowledge of your purpose is the most important thing you can have in your hand. A life lived void of purpose is a life lived void of meaning. Everything you own has a purpose from your television to your cell phone. Nothing exists without a structure or intent built into it. In fact we judge products that we buy that don’t function the way we thought they would by saying, “This thing is useless.” You and I will never be more useful than when we are operating in the way we were intended.
The purpose you hold in your heart, head or hand is that which brings out your best and produces the best in others. It is that which redirects your life to an area where your influence is most necessary. The purpose in your hand is that which only you can wield. It allows you to be a blessing to others and elicits marvel from those around you.
Difficult days will come and when they do glance down and remember what you are holding in your hand.
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