Earth bound angels are everywhere! They could be your next door neighbor, a teacher, or a perfect stranger. God brings people into your life just when you need them. They come, and they go, at the precise moment you need them and then leave when their job is completed and you've received the help that you needed.
It is their wisdom, their empathy, their love, their compassion, their guidance, and their humanity that you may have needed. Perhaps it is a shoulder to cry on, a skill that you need to learn, or simply someone to laugh with when your parent just recently passed away.
My friend Melanie and I had lunch last week with a special friend (our angel) whom we both admire and respect. He is in his sixties, he is a lot of fun, and being around him is always interesting. He is a fascinating and engaging conversationalist. But the thing that I love the most about him is his bravery. He is not afraid of anything, he says it like it is, and doesn't take prisoners.
We went to see him because we wanted his advice.
Our conversation was intriguing-- we discussed politics, current events, characteristics of an entrepreneur, and also our company, The Adventures of Scuba Jack.
Although the conversation was never dull, there were three things that resonated with me.
The first thing that he said to us was that people shouldn't dwell on the past. He said that everything that you have done, whether good or bad has made you who you are today. Be proud of it, and learn from it. The past is gone, move on.
This is so true! I deserve every wrinkle on my forehead, I am proud of my accomplishments, and I have learned from my mistakes. Embrace your life lessons. Hopefully they have taught you well.
The second piece of advice he gave was interesting. He said, "Don't think that people are smarter than you or better than you, because they’re not. Being an entrepreneur is nothing that you can learn from a textbook. You either have it or you don't." He felt that we had it, and that we could do it. Harold is not the type to bull someone, if he felt that we weren't ready, believe me, he would have told us!
He went on to say, "There are some who have become successful, but they have done things to get that success that has not been in their best interest, or wasn’t the best way of doing things." In other words they cheated, and perhaps there was immorality of some kind involved.
My friend Melanie excused herself for a moment, and while she was gone, Harold looked into my eyes and said, "Are you afraid of succeeding?" I looked at him with fear, and said, "Yes, of course I am!" He said, "Don't worry. Nothing has to change. You can live in the same house, drive the same car, and have the same life." "Yes!” I thought, “What the heck am I worried about? I can do this!"
I remembered an article I had read about how God doesn't want people to "shrink". He wants you to shine, and become what you were born to be. If people did shrink, there wouldn't be any great inventions, there wouldn't be great poetry, there wouldn't be any great victories, and there wouldn't be any great loves. You must forge ahead, despite all anxiety, despite the nay sayers, despite your budget. Take a chance because you never know how absolutely perfect something can be, unless you try.
Marilyn Monroe said "I believe everything happens for a reason. People change so you can learn to let go, things go wrong so you can appreciate them when they are right. You believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart, so better things fall into place."
This is so true. These are painful lessons, but lessons that you need to learn in order to move forward in life. In order to be great! So, take a long, deep breath and jump in! You'll be glad that you did!
By the way Harold: Thank you! You will never know what our meeting meant to me. You’re the best!
Beth Costanzo is the creator, President and CEO of The Adventures of Scuba Jack, Inc. www.adventuresofscubajack.com. She is also the owner of Majestic Harbor Community School www.majesticharborschool.com and contributes regularly to her blog, www.missbethsjournal.com.
