One Small Step for Man

"Confront the difficult while it is still easy; accomplish the great task by a series of small acts." – Lao-tzu

When I first graduated from college, I entered the teaching profession. As a young, energetic, first year teacher, I learned early to, in the words of the great American philosopher Barney Fife, "Nip it in the bud." While reading MLM Today I was reminded of a sign I put up in my classroom nearly 20 years ago . . . "Do It Now!"

I was the proverbial procrastinator. If the task seemed difficult, I would put it off until I felt like doing it. It didn't take long to realize that what appeared difficult soon became insurmountable.

I came across the aforementioned quotation by Lao-Tzu and was immediately struck by its simplicity. Truly we grow too soon old and too late smart, as someone so aptly observed. Why do we not take the small steps to success? Why it is that the nature of most people is to wait until the circumstances are so overwhelming that giving up seems the only viable option? Success is seldom, if ever, an overnight phenomenon. It is born of consistent small acts that lead to the fulfillment of the grand desire.

In my counsel, I echo the words of the late Winston Churchill, "Never, never, never give up!" Dale Carnegie once wisely opined, "Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by peole who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all."

Whether your challenge is financial, health related, relational, or from some other source, take the first small step today to find the resolution. Don't allow the circumstantial to keep you from the essential! Confront what appears difficult by breaking it down into the small steps and start your journey. Do it now!!

Always make a difference!

A Prayer for His Son by Gen. Douglas MacArthur

General Douglas MacArthur penned the following prayer in the early days of World War II as a spiritual legacy to his son Arthur. It was made public after the general died in 1964. Read the thoughts and consider how different our world would be if every father lived and prayed this way.

Build me a son, O Lord,
who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, brave enough to face himself when he is afraid,

Build me a son,
whose wishes will not take the place of deeds...Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort,but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenges. Let him learn to stand in the storm;let him learn compassion for those who fall.

Build me a son,
whose heart is clear, whose goals will be high, a son who will master himself before he seeks to master others; who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.

And after all these things are his, add, I pray,
enough of a sense of humor so that he may always be serious yet never take himeself too seriously...

Then, I, his father will dare to whisper,"I have not lived in vain."

Powerful sentiments! This father is passing this prayer along to his sons, and making a commitment to pray the prayer everyday. God willing, such a commitment will not only make a difference in the lives of my sons, but in the lives of those they are privileged to touch!

Always make a difference!