Pep Talk: "A Path To Success"

Whenever blessed to present a live Pep Talk presentation, rarely do we not discuss the importance of embracing each and every day as the precious gift it truly is. If you don’t believe that statement, talk with a parent, spouse, friend or relative of victims from Newtown, Massachusetts. Life can change dramatically in an instant.

Whether we want to admit it or not, we’re really “day-to-day” in this journey. A dear friend’s world was recently rocked when his brother’s wife took her life and those of the couple’s two darling kids. Life. It’s what gets in the way of our best laid plans, right?

I love to share the story of a past speaking engagement where I was walking through the parking lot afterward. Lost in thought, reflecting back on the experience and wondering if those in attendance received some value from the encouraging words presented. The reflective state was interrupted with, “Hey Mark.”

Somewhat startled, I turned to see a man approaching with determination. I recognized him from the gathered throng. He did not look hostile. In fact, he had a big grin on his good-looking face. He thrust a hand my way and offered, “Mark, my name is Abe Vasquez. I really enjoyed your talk.”

I countered with, “Hey buddy, thanks. Nobody’s getting more from it than me. It challenges me to walk my talk.” The handsome man with a neatly trimmed beard, great tan and Arizona State baseball cap atop his noggin’ then asked, “Can I share with you what’s been my life’s mission statement for the past ten years or so?”

What this man then offered knocked my socks off. Perhaps you’ve heard it before, but it was a first for me. “Yesterday is history, tomorrow’s but a mystery, today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.” Amen buddy!

I was thinking of that encounter recently while sitting in a volunteer orientation meeting at the Hospice of Saint John. The Lakewood, Colorado based non profit, for almost 40 years, has been providing end-of-life services for individuals and their families. Nobody’s getting out of here alive and the Hospice, founded by visionary priest and nurse Father Paul von Lobkowitz, has a mission to serve the dying with dignity and compassion. I feel called to play on that team and, along with four others, spent two days recently getting ready for our assignments.

The Reverend Dan Hettinger was addressing our group and talking about the last chapter. Hospice care is about the last chapter of life. HOSJ encourages others to traverse the final yards with dignity and compassion atop the priority list. Pretty cool if you ask me. My father died in hospice. It’s had a powerful effect. Hettinger made reference to a book he has recently written and his determination to make sure the final chapter of the book was the best. It was easy to see the similarities. The final chapter in a person’s life. Dying and then death for someone and its emotional, physical, spiritual and financial repercussions for others. It’s the passion of HOSJ staff and volunteers to try like heck to facilitate what Hettinger described as, “sacred moments.” As I sat there listening to this delightful man open our eyes to the responsibility before us, its meaning blasted deep into cranium:  There are no guarantees in life. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present.

Victory would like to encourage each and everyone of you to take advantage of the present. Don’t waste another moment in bitterness toward another. Unwrap this gift of today and use it wisely in service to others. And while, at this particular moment, we might not be able to create “sacred” moments, we can sure have our reticular activating system on high alert, while interacting with others, for opportunities. You don’t know till ya try, right? Perhaps the moment might be memorable for its productivity, logic and fairness.

Can you imagine? What would this world look like for most folks if, when asked after an encounter with us, the moment seemed productive, logical and fair? Holy smokes bartender, another round for everybody at the bar, Victory’s buying!

Caring for others. It might be customers, family members, stakeholders, co-workers, staff, neighbors or somebody else, trying to create good experiences and approaching the mission in a productive, logical and fair manner? It seems like a path to success wherever roaming. It don’t know if you’d call it sacred but successful might be a good alternative.

Have a good week!