Today a good friend suggested I become a motivational speaker or a life coach. My response?
"I am. We all are".
Not trying to be glib here (well, maybe just a little bit). My point is a simple one. Everyone, that's right EVERYONE, is in their own way a motivational speaker or life coach whether they realize it or not. We are all made up of a set of experiences and insights that have made us who we are. Sharing this has the power to help others. It is truly one of the greatest gifts we have. Awareness begins with understanding our innate ability to influence others. Awakening is our acceptance of this responsibility we have and using this knowledge to improve the lives of others.
Everyone has a perspective or experience of value, and we all have the capacity to improve one another's lives. Of course, going to see Tony Robbins (pictured above) is a life changing experience. He has used this same power to build a brand and achieve his definition of success - notably from having been a janitor and not even graduating college. Those academic things don't matter as much as many people think they do. What's important is knowing we have something we can share, clarifying that positive message, and then actually breaking through our fear in order to use our message to help other people.
We all need not be on stage inspiring millions like Tony does. We have the power to help through a kind word or action at a bus stop or in line at the supermarket - anywhere, anytime. As well, we have the power to grow from the experiences of others if we listen, truly listen, to what they are saying. I have been motivated and coached by literally thousands of people over the course of my 50 year journey. Many of them didn't even know they were doing so. Some were on TV or via YouTube or other media. Hearing about their journeys inspired my own. Sharing my stories is one way I can give back for all I've received. My journey is far from over and I remain fully committed to helping other people until my time here is done.
Certainly some people inspire us about what we don't want to do or become - this is no less valuable than the positive examples. In fact, sometimes it is our commitment to not repeat the mistakes of others or learn from our own mistakes that drives us to the greatest changes and improvements. Sometimes it is sharing our experiences that empowers us to rise above our circumstances with a much deeper perspective we can pass on.
Knowing that we all have this power within us - the power to motivate and coach others - is a great equalizer. It causes me to try to treat everyone with dignity and respect, since I recognize that each person can be of benefit to my understanding. In the end, all most of us really want is to be respected. Giving respect, especially to those who may have lost it for themselves, is a key to connecting. We discount the poor, the old, the sick, the homeless at our peril - their stories often have the most value and their lives often have the greatest examples of courage and strength.
Henry David Thoreau writes "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation."
To me, this is why we must do our very best to connect to each other - for their sake as much as our own. By connecting, we share. By sharing, we grow. By growing, we achieve. This cycle of virtue helps give our lives meaning and purpose, leaving us with a richer outcome at the end.
Especially now, governments are working hard to divide us - to keep us from sharing with other and acknowledging our common core. Please join me in resisting these attempts to break society apart. Embrace what makes us human --- Compassion. Open your heart to listen. Open your heart to share.
Motivate and be motivated.
I promise you can make a difference to someone, just as they can for you.
Making a difference is why we are here, after all.
1 comment:
Thank you so much for giving such a great motivational article I have thoroughly read your blog. At that date and age you will be judged on the amount you pay. Many martial arts karate schools, especially traditional, want people to stay as long as possible to learn as much as possible. That's why some martial arts are more expensive than others. Something to look at for money, but not the most important thing.
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