Pause Button Secret
When it comes to building, most of us focus on the finishing touches. Oohs and ahhs are created by decorative details - - crown molding, landscape lighting, and the tumbled granite backsplash.
But, the real key to building any type of construction is to establish a solid base or foundation. (Straight out of a bricklaying manual - - no joke!)
But let's face it, compared to crown molding, laying bricks is boring!
That is, until you make the fantastic discovery of how legacy building actually takes place.
The lesson HIT me as I left the hotel room, 5:30 am on October 26, 2008- - and at a moment when I least expected it.
Twenty days earlier, my father had major planned surgery. His esophagus, disconnected during a rare emergency procedure after bursting one night in June this year had to be reconnected.
This time the procedure was well-planned and under much more ideal circumstances than his initial emergency surgery, but the family was just as anxious.
Life has a way of occasionally heightening your senses.
Sometimes it's when we experience something wonderful. Though more often it's the unfortunate circumstances that act as the catalysts for grabbing our attention, for snapping us out of the daily hypnosis of our lives. And, in these moments, life seems to hit the pause button for you.
So, here is a critical success secret to build your legacy:
Learn how to PUSH the pause button on your life.
Don't wait for it to come to you.
Reflect on your greatest achievements, your wildest dreams.
What legacy might you leave your children? Your grandchildren?
Imagine you now own and control your life's pause button. From here on out, you can push it at your will. And, your legacy depends on it.
You see, life exposes its' secrets every day, but we're all running so fast & furious, that we nearly always miss the lessons. Practice with your pause button and allow those moments of insight to steer you.
And, share this magic with others. Share the pause button secret with a friend...for they will need it to create their own legacy.
"Cakewalk" said dad. While the family was trying our best to hide our anxiety, dad was calm and confident. No second opinions. No delays. He just wanted to get his surgery done and move back to a more normal life.
And, he sailed through. He came out of surgery strong, alert, and with a continued cool confidence. Mom said he was in a great state of mind going into the whole process. Dad said cakewalk.
Father to son, the WORD had stuck.
Three weeks later, I used it on the 17th mile of my first-time marathon run October 26. With 9 miles still to go (another 1.5 hours of running), I hit a major physical and mental slump. Suddenly, cakewalk came to mind and I repeated this to myself again and again.
And, soon, I was running with renewed energy. Like the many great products at Think Right Now, I was reminded how powerfully the mind can pull you through great difficulties.
Somehow, I went on to finish that 26.2 mile run, learning much along the way.
But the GREATEST lesson was the gift I received hours earlier.
As I left the hotel room 5:30am to head for the marathon start, I was tip-toeing quietly in the dark to avoid waking my wife and 5 year old son - - when he quickly sat up. "It's daddy's race day Mom!" Turning to me, he said "I love you SO much daddy. I hope you win the race!"
BANG, the pause button was hit for me this time.
I'll never forget the way he said that.
And the amazing legacy-building lesson he unveiled.
My son had watched me train for the marathon; and we talked about the importance of setting challenging goals, and following through.
In his voice that morning, I heard pride. And, his recognition for all the hard work of many months leading up to that day.
Finishing the marathon was for me a huge struggle and personal achievement.
With help from my father's words & my son's words, I finished the race much faster than I had ever hoped or trained for.
It was a great punctuation mark in my life and memory I'm sure to be proud of.
BUT in the scheme of life, the marathon was crown-molding.
I HAD won the race before I even left the hotel room
- - father to son, I had layed a brick.
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