I’m sitting in my apartment listening to instrumental music as I look out of my window into the night. Today was an interesting day to say the least. But, even though today wasn’t the best of days… I have to admit that I did enjoy my weekend 🙂 . As I did have the opportunity to go to church today and have an amazing conversation with a friend earlier today. Plus, I was able to go see my Mom and hang out with my best friend this weekend, which also made me happy.
As I hear harps and piano keys playing softly in the background, I’m also watching intellectual quotes from past and present intellectual trailblazers and philosophical giants. These quotes are paired alongside images of beautiful landscapes… and they are scrolling slowly across my television screen. In this peaceful environment, I could not help but notice two quotes that caused me to stop and think.
“Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn.” – John Maxwell
The quote by John Maxwell is trying to make the point that sometimes our greatest lessons are gained from our losses. And, that any substantial amount of personal growth requires some type of loss. This poses a question in my mind. Is it better to win, or better to learn? I wonder how many people would rather win, than learn… well, in my life right now I made one of the biggest mistakes I have ever made. But, it could also be the biggest blessing in my life… I just have to wait and see.
“I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it.” – Charles R. Swindoll
I believe Charles Swindoll was trying to show the large impact our attitudes play in our lives. As our attitude and our choices are really the only thing we have control over. There are so many things in life that are inevitable, out of our control. For example: how people act towards us or treat us, what type of family we are born into, and we definitely cannot change our past. But, we do have a chance to change our perspective towards life’s circumstances, which is very important.
When I actually sit down… take time to think… I really am baffled about all the things which I have done, overcome, and been through in life. I remember over a decade ago spending 1 week in ICU and 3 months in the hospital after an almost fatal car crash. I remember when I began suffering from seizures almost 20 years ago during my first year playing college basketball in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. And, I’ll never forget traveling to Africa with my Uncle Sonny as a teenager, seeing the poor living conditions of those who lived in the north African country of Morocco. Realizing that Africa consisted so much more than I could imagine at the time, as I thought the whole continent was a haven of poor dark-skinned people, mosquitos, montains with gold mines and wildlife preserves.
These lessons and more that I’ve learned in life help me to be the man I am today. They have helped me to appreciate where I come from, and also what I have. Do you ever think of all the lessons that you’ve learned in life? Take time to reflect on where you’ve come from, and where you are now. Take courage. Always hope for a brighter future. Life isn’t about focusing on what you don’t have, but more so about enjoying the things you do have.