Fall into Commitment

You’re standing on the edge of a cliff 10,000 feet high. 

You look down and gauge the depth that you are about to fall into. Yikes!! Your heart is pumping so fast it feels like it’s going to explode out of your chest any moment. Your forehead and palms are drenched in sweat. Your mind is racing a million miles an hour. In a split second, you open your eyes and leaped off the cliff to conquer your fear. There is no going back at this point. There is no magical rewind button to take you back up to the cliff so you can walk away. You committed to the jump, so at this point all you can do is enjoy the experience.

Many of you might ask…

“Why would anyone risk their life by jumping off a cliff? You could severely break your arms, legs, back, and penis! Not to mention fall to your death!”

Let's get something straight, I'm not telling you to jump off a cliff after you read this, not at all! Jumping off a cliff that’s 10,000 feet high is extremely dangerous and is no easy task. It’s going to require full preparation both mentally and physically. Most importantly, it’s going to require full commitment; the commitment to risk it all.

So why would anyone take a leap to risk it all? 

The reward! 

The reward of overcoming any obstacle because of your full commitment to the task will be satisfying, if you ask me.

“If you’re going to work, work hard. That way you’ll have something to show for it.” – Seth Godin

I believe that saying goes for everything you do in life. It can be work directed towards your studies, relationships, hobbies, fitness, whatever it is your doing. Commit yourself 100%. Because like Seth said, you’ll have something to show for it. Whether it’s an A+, a strong and lasting relationship, a creative idea, or a six-pack, you will receive greater results by giving it your all.

"What are the chances of you failing if you’re fully committing yourself to what you are doing? Chances are very slim, so why not give it your full 100%?" My buddies would always say.

Be aware that we tend to regret the things we didn't commit ourselves to doing, than committing ourselves into doing something.

What's Your Flavor?

"You're an asshole!" She said, back when we didn't get along.

Now she shouts, "Did I ever tell you you're awesome?!"

Funny how sometimes the person you didn't get along with, becomes a lifelong friend.

The past couple days I pondered why some relationships die and some relationships blossom. And last night after talking to my new friend, the simplest explanation occurred to me, individuality. The fact that all of us are unique individuals means that we all have something unique to offer each other.

I’m not just talking about an intimate relationship between a man and a woman. It can be a relationship with your friends, family, pet, co-workers or even that barista at Starbucks you always have a morning chit-chat with. The relationships we have with each other revolve around sharing our individuality.

Remember I said that we all have something unique offer each other? I believe we all have certain needs that have to be met. Most of the time we are not even aware of what we need, until that need is met by someone, then BAM! You’re in that relationship.

"Would you like some salt & pepper on your steak?" 

Ever been ask that question after you received the food you ordered? Salt and Pepper have their own distinct flavor separately. But add them together, and they complement each other; giving food a whole new combination of flavor to enjoy. Since salt can over power the taste of food, adding pepper counters the power of salt, balancing the taste. With that said, I believe people are like spices. We all have our own exclusive flavor. Combine our flavors together and we create a totally different kind of flavor mix to complement each other.

To simply to put it, if you were missing happiness in a certain part of your life and someone was able to fill you with that happiness, I believe that certain someone became a part of you. The two of you formed a new mix of flavor or a relationship. That doesn’t necessarily mean your relationship is at a level where it is strong and lasting at that particular moment. It will require time, effort and energy to build that relationship, and that’s gonna be up to both of you to pursue.

Opportunities for new relationships will happen every second of the day. By being aware of that fact, forming new relationships with anyone can become simple and fun! Sharing your uniqueness to those around you attracts the uniqueness of others to you, therefore creating opportunities for new relationships. Sometimes you just don’t know what opportunities others hold for you and what you hold for others, and ultimately what type of flavors opportunities can mix. 

The possibilities for the different types of flavors to mix are limitless

Five Lessons About How To Treat People
-- Author Unknown
1. First Important Lesson - "Know The Cleaning Lady"

During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"

Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

"Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello."

I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.


2. Second Important Lesson - "Pickup In The Rain"

One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.

A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.

She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home.

A special note was attached. It read: "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others."

Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.


3. Third Important Lesson - "Remember Those Who Serve"

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10 year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked. "50¢," replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.

"Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "35¢!" she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.

When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies. 


You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.


4. Fourth Important Lesson - "The Obstacles In Our Path"

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. 


The peasant learned what many of us never understand - "Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition."


5. Fifth Important Lesson - "Giving When It Counts"

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year-old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes, I'll do it if it will save her."

As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?".

Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.