Don't we all?

A friend sent this to me and I thought I should share it with everyone.
I learnt from it and I am sure you will too.

I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. I had just come from the car wash and was waiting for my wife to get out of work. Coming my way from across the parking lot was what society would consider a bum. From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money. There are times when you feel generous but there are other times that you just don't want to be bothered. This was one of those "don't want to be bothered times." "I hope he doesn't ask me for any money," I thought. He didn't. He came and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop but he didn't look like he could have enough money to even ride the bus. After a few minutes he spoke. "That's a very pretty car," he said. He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly blond beard keep more than his face warm. I said, "Thanks," and continued wiping off my car.

He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never came. As the silence between us widened something inside said, "ask him if he needs any help." I was sure that he would say "yes" but I held true to the inner voice. "Do you need any help?" I asked. He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget. We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments.
I expected nothing but an outstretched grimy hand. He spoke the three words that shook me. "Don't we all?" he said.

I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum in the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge shotgun. Don't we all? I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare, but enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day. Those three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or a place to sleep, you can give help.

Even if it's just a compliment, you can give that. You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all. They are waiting on you to give them what they don't have - A different perspective on life a glimpse at something beautiful, a respite from daily chaos that only you through a torn world can see.

Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe he was more than that.

Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise, to minister to a soul too comfortable in themselves.

Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him like a bum, and then said, "Go…minister to that man cleaning the car, that man needs help." Don't we all?

My conclusion? Extend a helping hand to someone today.
There is nothing more to say on this issue.

Strength and Honor
Debo

One Year, One Mind!

It the beginning of a New Year and I’m glad I’m here. Something within me tells me that the year comes with a lot of goodies. It’s been called a year of great opportunities and great achievements by some wise people but I’d simply say it’s a year of undeniable Greatness. Greatness that comes with responsibility and that isn’t struggled for. I’m talking about Greatness that comes with grace and favor. Imagine this, you put in 10 measures and you get 1,000,000 measures. Strange? Not to some of us. That is what's happening this year.

So, what’s there to be done? I can’t say there is a lot to be done because some of us started a mind cleansing process last year and it has positioned us greatly for 2007. We sought knowledge and we got wisdom and understanding. We let go of unproductive processes and embraced THE WAY.
Key success factors? Well, it’s easy to come up with a long list of do’s and don’ts but sincerely, I don’t think people need that much. What I think is most necessary is to function with a singleness of mind and purpose. By this mean Focus! If you’ve been set on the right path, just stay focused.

I can hear the resounding voice of my childhood tennis coach saying “Eyes on the ball.” I’ll say the same thing to you too. “Eyes on the ball”.
Focus on your goal(s). Whatever it is you are occupied with just stay focused and be dedicated to it. If you are dedicated and committed to your dream, there’s nothing that can stand in you way successfully.

Don’t be fooled. There will be distractions of various shapes and ‘sizes’. Don’t be moved. It doesn’t matter what anyone is saying about you. If they aren’t adding to your life, they don’t deserve your attention.

Have a great year.

Strength and Honor
Debo