Today reminded me of an endless truth…<\/p>\n
… a truth, I believe, we each wrestle with.<\/p>\n
In fact, it\u2019s one we say we don\u2019t believe, but when push comes to shove and the moment hits us squarely in the face, we\u2019re forced to ask what we believe…<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Can I truly celebrate the success of another?<\/p>\n
Or do I look as someone else\u2019s success as one less opportunity for me?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
(Examples, please…)<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n … be that the kid who plays on the soccer or baseball or any other team before<\/em><\/strong> my beloved child…<\/p>\n … be that the older teen who is awarded the lead before any of those other talented teens I love…<\/p>\n … or be that the business man who is more successful than me in my adulthood…<\/p>\n … be that even the adult who is more successful than me?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Can I celebrate their<\/em><\/strong> success?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The reality is that if you and I view someone else\u2019s good fortune as something lesser for you and me then we can\u2019t truly celebrate their success; we can\u2019t be happy for them.\u00a0 We will instead look at them with displeasure or disdain, thinking that\u2019s one less opportunity for me.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And then…\u00a0 yes, then… we justify all sorts of things.\u00a0 We justify:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n … looking down upon them.<\/p>\n … playing (dare I suggest)<\/em> \u201cvictim.\u201d<\/p>\n … and yes… actually… (let\u2019s say it…)<\/em> physically confiscating from them…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n … ah, do I dare even argue such taps into the inherent definition of socialism?\u00a0 … in other words… a unitary controlling of goods and services regardless of who<\/em><\/strong> has worked hardest for them?\u00a0 … regardless of who is most deserving?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This past weekend, my oldest sons have been involved in a national show choir competition in Nashville, Tennessee.\u00a0 Several of the nation\u2019s best performed on the Grand Ole Opry stage.\u00a0 It has been a beautiful, emotional, awe-inspiring weekend.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After the preliminaries that spanned 2 entire days, the audience seemed thankful to witness the varying, amazing talents on display from high schools donning from Florida, Minnesota, Ohio, Virginia, etc.\u00a0 It was no doubt a talented, uplifting time; it was also an incredible opportunity for our teens.\u00a0 After day one, I wondered how the exiting choirs would feel, as a mere six were named finalists.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Would the competitors feel positive for one another?<\/p>\n Would they wish each other well?<\/p>\n Would they see opportunities as limitless?<\/p>\n Or would they only focus on what they, personally, had won or lost?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n On Saturday, I woke that morning in prayer… praying that this day for my boys would be a confidence builder… that regardless of the result, it would be a day of enormous blessing… that they would gain confidence and self-esteem… and that they would realize the unparalleled rewarding of effort and hard work.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My boys\u2019 choir won first place.\u00a0 It\u2019s a special, special group.\u00a0 Yes, yes… like all good parents, the Intramuralist sobbed.\u00a0 (Call me a grown up \u201csoftie.\u201d)<\/em>\u00a0 But I sobbed most due to the humbling answer to my prayers…<\/p>\n Opportunity is not limited.\u00a0 And blessing is undoubtedly bountiful.<\/p>\n Always and still… yes… always and still.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Respectfully,<\/p>\n AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Today reminded me of an endless truth… … a truth, I believe, we each wrestle with. In fact, it\u2019s one we say we don\u2019t believe, but when push comes to shove and the moment hits us squarely in the face, we\u2019re forced to ask what we believe… Can I truly celebrate the success of … <\/p>\n