White Picket Fence

I've been thinking about a few things lately. One of those things is a quote that I got from renowned teacher on leadership, John Maxwell. The quote I remember is "to make a difference, you have to be different!" no one wants to be a "same maker".

This has helped me a lot. Often we get inspired to Make a difference, or lead others, but the thought enters our mind, "yeah but people just don't do that... Or that's not how we are supposed to do things.. Or I don't fit that mould, I'm not like the other leaders around here...

Well, in centuries past, everyone had slaves. William Wilberforce said NO! America always had white, middle aged president. Obama said No. Etc etc etc

That's great for big scale world events, but what about our own lives? My friends always get married, settle down, sit at the back and disappear. I am thinking, NO! Just because all of my friends do one thing, doesn't mean I have to do it. The only way to make a difference is to stand up for your convictions when others don't seem to show theirs.

I'm not judging them. Whoever They may be. But I am saying that some people follow the crowd, and others just can't do that! As much as they want to fit in and have friends and be normal and not stand out and be comfortable and life etc, some people are made in such a way that they can't do that! They would rather be strange, odd, out of the ordinary, misunderstood, etc because what they have in their heart is far more important to them than fitting in and doing what is expected to be done.

I think it's Important to say at this point, that we are all leaders in some way, or in some sphere of our lives, and to varying degrees. No one is better or worse than anyone else. We are just DIFFERENT.

Having said that, I just want to encourage people to stand up for their own convictions and not bow to peer pressure. If you feel really passionate about something and basically "know" its right, then go for it. Don't be obnoxious. Be wise and compassionate and slow to speak. Respect and honor your leaders, even when you don't agree with them! But still do it! Love always thinks of others ahead of yourself, and that love is what life is about isn't it?

Ive lost my train of thought! Toot toot

But I I'll say this. It's time to step up and live your life. We in the West especially, are Spiritually very apathetic and basically asleep. We just keep working and buying Stuff. It's time to wake up, or you will risk dying on the inside, long before you leave this planet. I don't want to die with two kids, a wife and a nice white picket fenced house. Yawn. That would be like going to Disneyland and sitting in the cafe. What a danger filled, exciting, risk taking life i would have missed out on. Come on. Don't let what other people think about you, stop you from having an incredible life.

Be different. Risk losing everything. Step out of the boat and try walking on the water... Don't worry! Someone will save you if you start to sink! And even if they judge you for being different, judgmental people are ultimately so focussed on themselves that they will quickly forget about you in the midst of their own ocean of self concerns, so are not worth worrying about!

See you out there!