Some of the best lessons in life I've learned have come from working hard on something. I mean anything. There seems to be something magical about "the process" of achievement. Sometimes, even the shortfall of achievement has been a learning experience and was to my benefit. Those powerful lesson are never forgotten, always rather sacred, always rather special, and always rather unique to our own progress of sorts. They are the defining times of my life. Sigmund Freud once said "One day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful"
Recently, I've had the occasion to help a nice man with some life decisions. Even though he asked me for help and advice, my advice and counsel was not taken and actually, it was offensive to this person. I struggled with this for an entire day until I got the feeling "Hey Holmes, this isn't on you at all!" Sometimes, we're not ready to hear, willing to change, willing to pay the price, willing to sacrifice, willing to humble ourselves, willing to trust, willing to accept, willing to admit to ourselves that we're wrong, or willing to welcome a change. I'm certain that we've all been there.
I remember one particular hot summer afternoon when I was out selling door to door back in the late 1980's. I remember working a road that flanked the Snake River here, north in Idaho Falls, where many nice homes existed. I remember that period because it was very hot and uncomfortable, I hadn't made many sales that particular month, I was working among a bunch of successful folks in this neighborhood and maybe having a bit of a pity party for myself. No one was wanting a demo of my product, a product I'd sold for many years up to that point. I remember knocking on the door of a fella who owned a successful business here in town. He looked at me with discerning eyes and asked me if I'd like a soft drink. I accepted one, which I rarely ever did as I was always rather careful about hitting my numbers (door knocks and demos) because they always equaled results.He'd asked me how sales were going. For some strange reason, I responded with the truth and opened up to him. He was after all, in the "selling" business. I told him that I'd had better months. He asked about my family, and a few questions in general. He was feeling me out. He then asked me if I'd do anything for money. I told him as long as it was legal, but that I was happy doing what I do too, just not that particular day. He then asked me if I'd weed his garden for 25 bucks. It wasn't a particularly big garden and $25 back then was a nice sum for a hungry family. I looked him in the eye and told him I'd do it. He left me alone for about 30 to 40 minutes while I weeded a garden in dress slacks and nice shoes and shirt. I was sweating but I was so mad at my situation, mad at the Lord for not extending his hand out to me, mad at myself. All of this seemed to melt away as I got closer to the end. My mindset started to change. I was grateful for the gift I was given of having a drive to succeed on my wits. I began to understand that the Lord was there with me all along. It was me and a particularly bitter attitude that was hindering me. This gentleman stopped me before I was done, sat me on his porch with another soft drink and told me words I'd never forgotten to this day. "You're going to be successful!" "This slump will pass and so will all the others you'll have" "You showed me that you were willing to work, willing to do anything for your family if necessary."" You're going to be just fine!"
Nearly 30 years later, I am fine. I'm blessed with an abundance, and I'm surrounded by a loving family, beautiful, dear and wonderful friends, and countless other blessings. Everyday, I begin each day on my knees with gratitude for all I've been entrusted with. For all the little things and for even the down times. And, hey, those times do season with age and become beautiful. Never give up, Keep on doing just a little more each day. I don't achieve success everyday, but I do strive for it every day, just a little more, just a little more. It's days like today that make me realize, that my reservoir is full. What a blessing.
I never forgot those words. I truly believed them. I went on to have a decent month in sales and I never looked back at the failures I'd experienced. I trusted myself, I trusted the Lord,
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