No 50. Changing Lives through Dancing
By David Earl Woodbury
Friday, December 11, 2015
“The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.” – Moliere (Jean Baptiste Poquelin) (1622 – 1673) French Playwright
Is life just hard for you sometimes? Do you get thrown a curve now and then? What do you do, what do you say?
I don’t like the rough times. They make me sick. Last night I was up ALL night from illness due to a crucial conversation. I had to be up by 6 AM, so being sick as a dog and then having an 18-hour day afterwards is a challenge.
So, what did I do to overcome this “obstacle” that made me so ill. First, since I was Team Leader for mass this morning, I just went right to the alter and prayed and turned it all over to the Lord, and still prayed some more. Then, I served. I got busy and helped others and pulled myself up through serving the needs of others. After that I was busy all day.
“The force is within you. Force yourself.” – Harrison Ford (1942-) American Actor
Get this, to make things even more interesting for today, I cycled to work, cycled to and from a Chamber event, and I’m seeing my Santa Monica Breeze rental bike outside ready to take me home tonight. Nothing will help you get over a trial than some fresh air and exercise. Before I knew it, and after a few blessed emails, the day had changed into a glorious day in my life.
“The greatest achievement of the human spirit is to live up to one’s opportunities, and to make the most of one’s resources.” – Luc de Clapiers, Marquis de Vauvenargues(1715 – 1747) French Essayist
I forgot to mention that today I also had the honor of mentoring a Chamber member and just releasing all the best knowledge that I could conceive of, hoping to change her life for the better. Just that on its own made my day a blessed day.
“Aerodynamically a bumblebee shouldn’t be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn’t know that so it goes on flying anyway.” – Mary Kay Ash (1915 – 2001) American Businesswoman, founder Mary Kay Cosmetics
If you look at me you don’t think I can dance, much less ride a bike all over town. To be a motivator, you would never know that I have overcome so many emotional trials in my life. Today, I stand on the shoulders of the service given and motivation of others. I think this, if I can make it, anyone can make it. How could I ever throw the first stone and judge someone else? How could I hold grudges? I just let go. Remember, being angry at someone is just like you drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. Anger does not make any sense to me.
Do you try to avoid troubles and sometimes cocoon yourself into a safety zone? Do you miss opportunities because they might be hard? Remember that gold is refined by fire for purity, and diamonds are created through unspeakable pressure and heat. By successfully getting through the trials of life, we are refined and purified. We are made into life’s heroes.
“Real heroes are men who fall and fail and are flawed, but win out in the end because they’ve stayed true to their ideals and beliefs and commitments.” – Kevin Costner (1955) American Actor, Producer and Director
Stand up and face your trials. It’s frightening and will scare the bones out of you, but do it anyway. Stand up and face your challenges. When someone asks for help, raise your hand and say, “I’ll do it”. Be the first to take a chance and be the leader. Make it a life habit and you’ll find that you are always in the front row as a leader, a mentor, a guiding light to others. And guess what, your life will be great!
Thank you,
David Earl Woodbury
Keep on Dancing!