Karla’s Korner – JUMP: Being The Best You Possible

Karla’s Korner – JUMP: Being The Best You Possible

JUMP: Being The Best You Possible

Television personality Steve Harvey recently shared his thoughts about life and the importance of living it to the fullest. In his viral video, Harvey says that every successful person in this world has jumped. You cannot just exist in this life, says Harvey, you must jump into life, embracing the gift you possess and using it to achieve success and more importantly happiness.

Life, I think can often deter us from jumping, living authentically causing us to merely exist rather than live to our full potential. Quite often we make decisions that are safe, more concrete and practical rather than taking chances and using our gifts to allow ourselves not only success but true happiness. It’s been said that happiness is in the journey, not in the destination. I wonder then why it is that we spend more time hurrying trying to get to where it is we want to go than taking the time to enjoy getting there. Somehow we have learned that success lies somewhere between college and the board room, the operating room or some other high profile position. According to Harvey, success can come in many forms; often in the ordinary mundane places in life. For example, he says if you are great at cutting grass, then cut grass. If you are great at detailing cars, then detail cars. Determining your gifts, your talents and putting them to use in the best possible way will bring you success and more importantly happiness. Life, isn’t about just going to work to make money, it’s about doing what you love and doing it well; doing it with a happy heart.

Sitting quietly reflecting on the life I’ve lived so far, searching my memory bank for examples of those who have jumped, lived a purposeful, happy life I find that it’s not always those with high profile positions rather those who have labored in what some might call the ordinary. Ordinary, I believe is a matter of interpretation. I believe that one can be extraordinarily ordinary. Nearly twenty-three years ago I found myself in a hospital room alone waiting to be wheeled into the operating room to have my gall bladder removed when a rather ordinary man named Stan walked into my room; he was there to take me to surgery. He was an elderly man with kind eyes, a big smile and even bigger heart. Knowing I was afraid he took time to talk to me, to calm my fears and say a prayer with me. After my surgery Stan showed up to return me back to my room and each day Stan would stop by to say good morning, bring me a paper and checked on me throughout the week. You see Stan was an orderly in the hospital. He held an ordinary job but he did it extraordinarily well. Stan took his talent, the ability to communicate with people, and used it to the best of his ability. Stan jumped.

Sometimes we find ourselves at a fork in our life road wondering which direction we should take. Should we take the safe road, the one paved with prestige, power and prominence or should we take the path that is unpaved, less traveled and make our own trail? It is truly up to each of us to live our own lives, to use the talents that I believe our Creator instilled in us and be the best at whatever we choose to do. Sometimes it is necessary to change our course, to adjust the sails of our life ship, take chances and as Harvey says jump! Harvey reminds us that we must remember, that making the decision to jump doesn’t mean that our “parachute” will open the first time we jump. There will be failure, disappointments, setbacks and struggle. That is all part of life, the part of life that teaches us valuable lessons, keeps us humble and allows us to appreciate those times when our “chute” opens. I am reminded of the momma bird who in teaching her babies how to fly, nudges them out of the nest requiring them to learn to flap their wings and fly. In order to fly high in life, we must take the chance, jump and learn to use our wings.

Whatever talent you have I encourage you to use it. Examine your life, reflect on what it is that makes you. Take time to search your soul for the purpose you possess and make the decision to live your life using that purpose. Whether your purpose is to be a doctor or a garbage collector or somewhere in between, dedicate yourself to being your best. Make the decision to jump into your life with both feet, pull the cord on your life’s parachute and know that you will soar as long as you are authentic, purposeful and important. Life isn’t about reaching our end destination; it’s about enjoying the journey. Safe travels…

Peace,
Karla

I think we all need a touch point a place we can go to be inspired. Karla is my children’s teacher, a good friend, and a person with a heart of gold. I hope that her words will inspire you to do more. We are only as good as the people we surround ourselves with. It is important to listen with your heart and proceed with your eyes open. Enjoy!

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