"I HATE MY JOB! I HATE MY LIFE!" I shouted out the window.
Then I snatched a super-sized book, my "Strong's Concordance" held it above my head and shot-putted it across the room. CRACK! It it slammed against the wall, denting the wall and ripping the blue fake-leather cover.
I was a hot mess and I felt like everything was coming apart around me and my insides were a mess. The harder I tried, the more things just seemed to stink.
My job. The people who "let me down." The way I spoke to my self. "You suck Jeff! You really suck!"
With a grand pronouncement, I told Mindy I was heading out to "somewhere." "Go!" she urged. "Go!" Please don't come back until you find what you need."
Yep. Now this was a few years ago, but this insane guy (me),now helps people find jobs they can love, find peace, purpose and satisfaction and direction in their lives and businesses. He helps people focus and reach their goals.... (And he no longer judges them for not having those things... He once did. Not proud of that)
Hmmmm.... are you sure?
Trust me, I must still be vigilant in addressing my messes . Big time! And I've spent many, many hours studying personal, spiritual and leadership growth, and invested large sums in counseling, consulting and coaching - read every book I could get my hands on.... to ADDRESS THIS MESS!
I didn't like it... (still don't!) but there was message in my mess. And there's a message in your mess as well. It's a clue to what you can offer others who have mess.... IF you let God redeem that mess. Hmmmm.... Is that even possible?
I've heard it said that God never wastes resources. He won't waste our potential nor our pain and neither should we. In Scripture God says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Mess can be a clue to opportunity.
Mess can be how we become a resource
Mess can help us learn
Mess can make us more human
Mess can create empathy for others with mess
Mess opens up doors for us to show faith....And this present MESS may be what illuminate your future's greatest success. Anthony Robbins put it like this:
"I've come to believe that all my past failure and frustration were actually laying the foundation for the understandings that have created the new level of living I now enjoy."
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/t/tony_robbins.html#g8gIt33weI8vlVJv.99
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/t/tony_robbins.html#g8gIt33weI8vlVJv.99Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/t/tony_robbins.html#g8gIt33weI8vlVJv.99
I was recently introduced to this exercise and would encourage you to give it a try.
1. On the left side of the paper - list your PRESENT SUCCESSES.
2. On the right side of paper - list YOUR PRESENT CHALLENGES AND MESS.
You'd think your greatest areas of opportunity might be in the success group, right?
But - search your mess. Your mess NOW may contain the greatest gifts you may soon bring to others. (including your business, organization or, ministry)
Yes, a mess is a mess. But your mess can make you care. Your mess makes you trust. And your mess makes you credible.
Got mess?
