The Power of One.

I have been in the powerful presence of many great people that I have had the honor of associating with and intrigued in the moral attributes they possess.  You know... those noble souls who walk into a room and their presence elevates the level of integrity; a magnificence that people gravitate toward like moths fluttering to a more brilliant light.  

I am not talking about the dull imitations coming from the Paris Hilton's of the world or about the parasites who ride upon the coat tails of another person's hard work and labor.  I am referring to those giant individuals who constantly replenish hope and inspire others with their human positive ion and sterling characters.  

One of these individuals was President Ronald Reagan, whom I had the honor of meeting when he was campaigning for Senator Orrin Hatch, a few years before he was elected to be our 40th president.  It was a privilege for me to hear him speak and I knew that I was in the presence of a great and noble man.   

I would love to see the history and moral fibers that bind integrity to self worth in the lives of many great leaders such as George Washington, Mother Teresa, Ghandi and many other valiant human beings.   What was the turning point that made these individuals into leaders of genuine uniqueness and how did they attain the brilliant light that caused others to gravitate into their presence?  I would love to know exactly when and how they became the change that they wanted to see happen in the world.    

I have drawn my own conclusions and I believe there are three characteristics that these people have in common.  One, they are constantly giving.  Two, they have the genuine ability to love without fears, limits, or conditions and three, they constantly strive to overcome all the challenges and obstacles placed before them.  

Being a giver doesn't mean that you walk around handing out money to strangers or people in need; although, this is a genuine gift of its own.  A giver is someone who has developed the ability to constantly replenish all things.  They are those gifted individuals who find "the good in dire circumstances" and gratitude is one of their greatest attributes.  Givers do not believe that the world owes them a living, in fact, they feel they cannot give back enough and are constantly looking for ways to make a difference.  They are never "down on their luck" for it's not luck that they believe will bring them prosperity, it's faith!   They neither borrow, nor steal for they are not the "takers"  they are the "givers"!  They help others understand the priceless value of life and are constantly sharing their light, wisdom, and appreciation in all things. 

Those gifted people in this world, who have the perpetual ability to love others without fears, limits, or conditions are the pillars of brilliant light that attract the lessor light, and they lead through their example.  They are constantly elevating others to a higher plain.  When donating their time and talents, they are the first to arrive and the last to leave, and they serve with an unlimited supply of positive energy.  They do not seek after accolades or acknowledgments for they believe it's redundant to receive recognition for doing what is right.  These great individuals understand the meaning of unconditional love and are loyal and committed to their country and fellowman.  They accept whole heartedly the responsibility to continually strive to become the full measure of their potential.  

These are they, who have achieved greatness because of the challenges in life, not in spite of them, and it was not affluence that made these people successful, it's their countenance! They used obstacles as stepping stones and courageously climbed each step until they were high enough to see what was on the other side!  They do not think about who they are... rather, they focus on what they are to become within the time frame God has granted.  What do you suppose would happen if we stopped thinking about who we are and started focusing on what we are to become?  I believe our lives would rapidly change. 

Anything in this life that is worth having, comes by virtue of wise choices, hard work, and perseverance.  Those who stand head and shoulders above the rest didn't get there by sleeping in, standing on their laurels, or dodging the challenges in life.  They hit the road running and the many scars of disappointment gradually faded into the savory taste of victory.  Written by, Linda Sumner Urza, One Fine Day 

Good Timber

by Douglas Malloch

The tree that never had to fight
For sun and sky and air and light,
But stood out in the open plain
And always got its share of rain,
Never became a forest king
But lived and died a scrubby thing.

The man who never had to toil
To gain and farm his patch of soil,
Who never had to win his share
Of sun and sky and light and air,
Never became a manly man
But lived and died as he began.

Good timber does not grow with ease,
The stronger wind, the stronger trees,
The further sky, the greater length,
The more the storm the more the strength.
By sun and cold, by rain and snow,
In trees and men good timbers grow.

Where thickest lies the forest growth
We find the patriarchs of both.
And they hold counsel with the stars
Whose broken branches show the scars
Of many winds and much of strife.
This is the common law of life.