Tis the Season for reflection, introspection, sharing memories with family and friends, and planning for the upcoming year. It makes me think of one of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite Christmas movies, "The Bishop's Wife” - the scene where an angel visited the good Bishop to give him guidance through a tough time. The Angel's last gift was writing this Christmas Eve sermon for the Bishop to deliver.
"Tonight I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking. Once upon a midnight clear, there was a child's cry, a blazing star hung over a stable, and wise men came with birthday gifts. We haven't forgotten that night down the centuries. We celebrate it with stars on Christmas trees, with the sound of bells, and with gifts.
But especially with gifts. You give me a book, I give you a tie. Aunt Martha has always wanted an orange squeezer and Uncle Henry can do with a new pipe.
For we forget nobody, adult or child. All the stockings are filled, all that is, except one. And we have even forgotten to hang it up. The stocking for the child born in
For we forget nobody, adult or child. All the stockings are filled, all that is, except one. And we have even forgotten to hang it up. The stocking for the child born in
a manger.
It’s His birthday we're celebrating. Don't let us ever forget that. Let us ask ourselves what He would wish for most. And then, let each put in his share: loving kindness,
It’s His birthday we're celebrating. Don't let us ever forget that. Let us ask ourselves what He would wish for most. And then, let each put in his share: loving kindness,
warm hearts, and a stretched out hand of tolerance. All the shinning gifts that make peace on earth."
This is also a good time for you to ask yourself, what really means the most to you? As you're preparing your goals for next year, what is your burning why? What is it you really value, really want?
Today I had lunch with an agent from another firm. It was originally to be a recruiting call, but became more of a coaching session. The agent is at one of the traditional firms, and is finding it to be a financial struggle. After a $5M year last year, the goal this year was $7M; but it looks like $5M is more likely. We discussed several different points, two of which became turning points: Why the volume wasn’t there and why $7M was the chosen goal. As it turns out, it was to pay a debt. We discussed that setting a goal of debt reduction, while noble and needed, often backfires because your mind is focused on the debt. Whatever you focus on you get more of. I suggested changing the why to living a paid-in-full life.
When I suggested how to create dreams and rewards for reaching different goals, the response I got was that not everyone is wired that way. I agree that not everyone is as an adult, but all are as children. As we grow from childhood into adulthood, we are taught not to dream somewhere along the way. We need to tap back into that childlike dream-building. Remember, God actually created us to be dreamers. Why else did He tell us about Heaven, if not to build a dream for us to reach? The Bible is full of stories of how the dream was the driving force behind accomplishment. If what you set your goals for doesn't tie back to what you really care about, it is much less likely to happen. Only you can decide what it is you care about. Maybe you desire to do something for someone you love. Perhaps you desire to leave a legacy for your children and your children’s children. Whatever it is, you have to come to that conclusion – it shouldn’t be chosen for you.
When was the last time you read the story of David and Goliath? You will find it in 1 Samuel 17. If it’s been a while, read it below. You'll likely want to go see for yourself, because odds are, you haven't ever heard it this way before.
David was the youngest son in his family and his father sent him down to where the army was gathered to take baskets of cheese and bread to the officer in charge over his three older brothers. This was a smart move on Dad's part because in the old way of battle those on the front row always died, so if the commander was getting goodies from some families those men tended to be moved back a few rows. David was there when Goliath came out challenging the Israelites causing them to all pull back in fear. Back in camp he heard some soldiers talking about the reward that King Saul was offering to the man who killed Goliath: he would ride upon a white horse (major status symbol), have land as far as the eye could see, from that he and his family would never pay taxes, and he would be given the Princess to marry. Upon hearing that David said, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine?" It wasn't Goliath who sparked his interest. It was the Princess, the land, the reward. He kept asking more questions until his brothers saw him. And, as family so often does, they tried to stifle his dream.
"When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 1 Samuel 17:28
Upon being called out by his brother and embarrassed in front of the soldiers he could have done what many of us do. He could have tucked his tail between his legs and walked away. But, instead, he "turned from them unto another and asked again, what is the reward for the man who kills Goliath?" He went back to his dream.
If it's good enough for this story, isn't it good enough for your own?
