Destiny whispers to the Warrior, “A storm is about to come that you will not be able to withstand.”
The Warrior, confident and resolute, stares Destiny in the eyes and responds quietly, “Destiny, you’ve got it all wrong … I AM the Storm.
Of the many lessons I’ve learned from the Stoics, Seneca and Marcus Aurelius, the one that is the most meaningful for me is “I am in control of my own life.” I have the freedom and wherewithal to make my own decisions, act in ways that are aligned with my True Self, and contribute to the common good. I think that’s part of what it means to be fully human.
Of course I also believe I am guided and empowered by the hand of God. Even then, it is still ME who decides and does what I am built to do. I also believe the same is true for you.
So, Where Are You?
Do you see yourself as the Storm or do you live with a big umbrella to protect yourself? Do you make things happen or do you let things happen?
People that make things happen [in this blog we call them Difference Makers] will inevitably have more opportunities to serve others and discover a life filled with excitement and wonder and adventure.
Once again it all comes down to “choice.” Your life is both a gift and a responsibility. I am not talking so much about “life in general,” but, instead, every day you have the opportunity to be a storm of wonder and adventure and good deeds. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that living as a Warrior or Difference Maker demands that you honor your gifts by choosing to develop them and then put them to use to help others as you make your own life exciting and contagious.
If naysayers refer to you as odd or weird or crazy, you are most probably on the right track. I believe that when you find yourself traveling in the middle of the herd, “mooing” and lumbering along like all the others, it might be time for you to find a different road—Your Road.
Stormers and Stuckers
Let’s compare some differences in Those Who Are the Storm and Those Who Get Stormed On.
STORMERS
- They are fueled by adversity, change, and opportunities to do things that excite them.
- They seek out new ideas, perhaps contrary to their own, in order to grow and mature.
- They fight the constant battle with fear. Fear is a disabler to all things good and necessary in life: fear of job security, fear of being rejected, fear of failing, and fear of looking foolish. Warriors and Difference Makers face their fears head on.
In fact, some Difference Makers/Stormers even use fear as a motivator to do the things they want to do. I fall into this category. For me, fear is a compass point that can ultimately point out new vistas that will contribute to my well-being and how I can serve others.
Finally, Stormers fully embrace the notion that change and unexplored territory must be explored.
STUCKERS (Those “stuck” in the same place in life with little or no hope for change.)
- Stuckers love keeping the status quo. They feel comfortable with the status quo and believe they can somehow manipulate it to achieve the results they want. They try to avoid “risk.” The result is a failure to grow and discover the crazy courage required to step out into an adventure.
- In his humongous best-seller, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey, explains the huge difference between those with the abundance mentality vs. those with a scarcity mentality.
- Abundance people believe there is enough to go around for all, while those with the scarcity mentality protect their own piece of the pie at all costs, afraid that someone else will get it. This is just bad thinking. The scarcity mentality remains one of the easiest ways to go. A “scarcity mentality” leaves no room for taking advantage of growth and excitement in our potentially amazing lives.
- While abundance people are not nearly as concerned with keeping the status quo, they are prepared to take calculated and researched risk. Having done their homework on the risk, they actually feel reasonably safe in new ventures.
You ARE the Storm
Only, you can be the kind of storm that rains down abundance, exciting living and acceptance of whatever is placed before you.
The Stormer proceeds with energy and hopefulness. I think of a statement by St Paul, “…no temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able.”
The Stormer’s / Difference Maker’s Creed
- You are a “Storm of goodness and right living.” Your very presence offers hope for a better life for those around you.
- Although fear exists, after pondering it, you decide to find a route around or through the obstacle of fear.
- Now choose… the same ole, same ole or time to try something brand new, learn a new task or strategy, and employ it.
So…
Are You the Storm?
Be One!
Photo courtesy of dwryan at istockphoto
