I know, surprised me too a bit, but, think about it. He's highly successful, and most folks question it, save for one: Will Smith.
If you click on the photo of Will, it will take you to a YouTube video I happened upon today. I had to watch/listen to it more than once but his words are very profound.
He was speaking on a subject that I have been exploring pretty heavily as of late, and it was really about BELIEVING what you want out of this life for yourself, your dreams, aspirations, etc.
I won't speak long on the subject but one part that stood out most -- because it was a concept I knew but somehow never fully understood -- was how can I give back or share blessings I am gifted with by the Lord or the Universe (depending on your preference of title).
The quote was, "You make your life better by making others' lives better."
This is something that I have always felt and even teach to my son "In giving to others we give back to ourselves." Still, somehow, I was always stumped.
I recall listening to Napoleon Hill, yet another one of those folks that talks about the power of positive thinking and the law of attraction and all that entails, and as he was advising listeners/viewers to write down what they want their dream life to be, he then advised them to write out what they will give back once they receive their blessings.
It is easy to come up with several things we want for ourselves but it is not always so easy to think about what we can do for others.
When it came to this, while I did write some things down, I found myself not really liking what I had to write down as far as what I could possibly be able to contribute back to the world once I was gifted with everything I wanted. In short, the narrative felt lacking and lame.
Yet, two years ago, when I thought on this same subject, I knew at least on some level that maybe the difference I could make for others is to give my love to them, whatever that love might mean.
It may sound silly but, this was probably the closest I was going to get as far as thinking on what I could give back to the world and how I can make a difference. So I started loving people freely, talking to strangers, giving positive advice, being encouraging, telling people that no matter what I still loved them. I let it flow freely and outwardly.
Somewhere along the way, I lost that. I became afraid of people, because even though I gave love, forgiveness, support, and warmth towards others, my love was not always reciprocated. Sometimes my giving resulted in rejection, or pain, or being used or taken advantage of. After all of that, perhaps I became not just fearful but exhausted. Literally and figuratively drained, I shut down. I became a hermit and an introvert (something that I had never been in my LIFE). I didn't know how to be social in public any more. I lost part of myself.
This unfortunately started to overflow into other aspects of my life.
I became a realist instead of an optimist which really means I became a pessimist who tried to justify her negative beliefs. I kept my guard up with everyone. I've been doing that now for about a year.
Finally, today, I feel free of that fear, I was given a sensitive heart for a reason and it was not meant to be shielded from the world just because I was wounded a few times.
Walls are for cowards, open hearts are for the courageous!
I realized that my heart was designed to be open and caring towards others. I feel like it is one of my best blessings I could have possibly been gifted with. I love easily and I love fully, no half measures, even with strangers.
I give money out of my pockets, a smile, a joke, a laugh, a ride if a friend needs it, a hug, a word of encouragement. I give what I can, and I give it freely. Even when that little voice in the back tries to question it, I answer back saying, they need it more than I do and I was blessed to have the means to help them.
I feel that while I still feel inadequate in my answer to the question "What can I do, this very second to change the world?" , I feel that this is and always has been where I am meant to start.
I don't know if anyone will actually take the time to read this, and I am not even sure if it makes sense structurally, grammatically, or anything, but I thought I would share this thought and the link to how successful people like Will Smith have come to know how our world and universe works. The power of a thought, a choice, a goal, a plan, a deed. Building towards a goal one brick at a time.
A great time to be inspired to keep building towards what I want but also to share my love, life and joys with all those around me. A great way to continue through a year which is just barely 10 days in so far.
One last thought: Another lesson that I tell my son daily is hold on to your dreams and don't let anyone tell you that you cannot do it, not Mommy, not Nana, not Daddy, not anyone. Believe that you can do it and it will be yours!
That is all for today.
If you didn't click the photo of Will, you can find the YouTube video here.
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