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FollowCraig: Heart

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Recently I was asked a simple question, simple to me anyway. Then after a few moments the answer came with frankly some ease.

Here is what happened. While at a Toastmaster’s meeting several weeks ago I was asked to reveal in less than two and one half minutes what may seem so simple. To make this easy, I will ask you that same question.

Your life is now over and a memorial is to be constructed in your memory and honor. This would be a magnificent structure where others could come and stroll at leisure, all your memories, achievements, failures, loves, not loved and more was on display. There was to be one item, one important part of you, your soul. The one thing you would want others to know about you? What would that be?

When asked this question, the thought seemed daunting. I think of myself as an ordinary man, imperfect and flawed. Overall lucky in life yet nothing outstanding. After a few moments of thought “felt like minutes” I finally answered.

What felt right and frankly what matters the most to me is all I really want noted. I began to describe how I would want a very tall wall that is also wide enough to display the names of every person who has touched my life. When looking over the years and all those who have cared for me, who have inspired me, who have disappointed me, who I have hurt, those I have loved, this list would go on and on. I would want a letter of gratefulness written to all and so many others who may not even be listed on that wall.

The most important part of my life has been all those lives, all those souls that have shaped my life by just being present in it.

I believe the only thing we ever keep is what we leave behind. The spirit of our heart and how we we hold it open to those we know and those we do not.

I would like to leave this world letting others know that everyday I have lived, I have tried to become a better version of the man I wanted to be. To somehow leave that thought and belief in others that striving everyday to become closer to the person they want to be is what really matters.

Now the question is, what would be your answer?

I’m still writing, you’re still following…Craig

FollowCraig: Heart

Recently I was asked a simple question, simple to me anyway. Then after a few moments the answer came with frankly some ease. Here is what happened. While at a Toastmaster’s meeting several weeks ago I was asked to reveal in less than two and one half minutes what may seem so simple. To make…

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Fired!

FollowCraig: You’re Fired!   Has it ever happened to you? The work or job you love, worked so hard for so many hours, days months and even years is abruptly ended. You’ve been fired! Perhaps the company closed down or you quit or even retired but none the less it’s over. No more showing up,…

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FOLLOW CRAIG: The Gift

You’re still following… I’m so messed up, so broken, I just want to end it all! All of it, he says to you. As you sit there having coffee, this friend (person) is nearly crying and has begun just telling you everything that you most likely don’t even care to know. We all have been…

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FOLLOW CRAIG: The Gift

			
						

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You’re still following…

I’m so messed up, so broken, I just want to end it all! All of it, he says to you. As you sit there having coffee, this friend (person) is nearly crying and has begun just telling you everything that you most likely don’t even care to know. We all have been there, someone you may know comes to you and begins telling you just how bad life is for them right now and they just do not know what to do, no hope and just lost. I know we all do this, we are kind and so we listen. 

Then as it often happens you begin remembering a time in your own life that all was lost. You had lost your standards, your joy, your hope and willingness to thrive. You start to remember more and more as you listen. This crazy heartfelt trouble being shared begins to remind how someone sat and listened to you when you had just about given up? So of course you continue listening. Your own memories bring you to that point when your friend offers you a hand and a touch on the shoulder or offers a hug. They tell you it’s going to be OK and you think to yourself, how? Then the words came, “if you are willing, I may be able to help you through this”. Afraid to let go, you just sort of say OK, but how? I’ll teach you what I’ve learned he says and then perhaps you will find the peace you seek?

Now as you listen to this story being told to you, your heart begins to open and you find yourself asking him if you can help? Then you find yourself asking “if you’re willing, I may be able to help you through this?”

You know at that very moment it is your duty, your own personal peace is demanding you share and teach your experiences, strength and hope with another human being. This was the gift that was given to you so freely so long ago and the only way you can keep it is to give it away.

All those lessons your friend, your mentor taught you about love, kindness, integrity, forgiveness, faith, gratitude and more. These lessons and life skills he gave to you, you must now give away.

You know you must and when you do this, when we help another human being find there way to their own soul, it’s then and only then you truly have opened your own gift. That beautiful silver papered box with ribbons of life holding it closed. As you now open this wondrous gift you see the words “This is the gift of Mentorship” I give to you.

Blessings
Please keep following…Craig