Sunday night a very wise speaker, Dr. Drew Sams, opened my eyes and mind with a powerful question. It had such an impact on me I want to share it with you.
What are you pouring your life into?
He began by holding up a bottle of Veuve Clicquot and talked about its value. Depending on the restaurant and time of year (New Year’s Eve being the coup d’ etat) it could range from $100 to $350 a bottle. He went on to say this champagne even holds a royal warrant from Queen Elizabeth 11. Impressive. No one in the room disagreed with him – it was acknowledged to be very valuable champagne.
Next he showed us a trashcan filled with coffee grounds, banana peels and used tissues. He then uncorked the bottle and started pouring it into the trash…getting the visual? Wow, just like that, the Veuve lost its value!
There’s something about a visual that really brings home the truth, isn’t there? You could hear a pin drop as the audience was quietly taking in the point – no matter how valuable you think you are or are perceived to be – the minute you start pouring yourself into garbage, you lose your value.
My mind immediately flew to all the things I have put my energy into both in the past and present that are a total waste of time, dilute my essence, and make me weary and downright ugly at times. Mama mia so many things!
What about you? What are you pouring your life into? Can you see where you might be engaging in behaviors that diminish your beautiful essence? That might look like chasing bright shiny objects or pouring yourself into work for materialistic gain. Maybe you’re putting your energy into things like sadness, anger, complaining, blaming and focusing on the negative. Or perhaps you are stuck in toxic thoughts about your boss, obsessing about something your partner said or did to you, involved in relationships that bring you down, suck you dry and bring out the worst in you?
One thing is for sure – Dr. Drew brought fresh perspective and insight to living a life of happiness. His demonstration also begs the question – how do you want to spend your time? The truth is you are here for a reason – you have magnificent gifts and talents – WHO and WHAT do you want to shower them on to make a difference on the planet?
It’s all a choice right? What if you chose to pour your light and love into your kids, your partner, your friends, your neighborhood, your clients, your co-workers, the homeless, the weak, the poor?
What if you showed grace and forgiveness, turning the other cheek and rising above the need to be right? What if you softened and opened your heart letting your joy kiss someone’s sorrow away?
Since we are officially headed into the season of giving I invite you to a fun CHALLENGE:
For the month of November, every morning when you get up, ask/pray/meditate on who or what needs your light and love and then pour into them – either with physical action or prayer/blessings.
If you don’t get an answer be on the lookout for an opportunity during the day. It might be an elderly person who needs a door opened for them or help carrying groceries. It could be a child who’s scared or needs extra attention. The point is to keep your eyes peeled and see where you can add your value in ways that will make a positive difference.
I’m doing this challenge with you!
Let’s stop pouring our energy into garbage and start spending our time filling others up with love and blessings. Are you in???
If this article touched or resonated with you please share your comments below :))
Love it! I have been a lot more conscious about this, and love this reminder. Great share this week 🙂
Thanks!
t
That’s fantastic Theresa – glad you enjoyed the message and are actively embodying it:))
Thanks so much Sherri. Sounds great!
You are welcome Amanda!
I love your challenge and will try very hard to do this. Some days I find I am so caught up in “stuff” I forget my true self. Thank you.
You are right, it can be challenging to stay focused Jill- try a post-it as a reminder – put it where you can see it – you will be brought back to your true self pretty quickly:))
So true! It’s like playing paying it forward. Today I was stuck in traffic and being an Aries, nothing gets more stressed out and impatient than “wasting” my precious time doing nothing and sit still in a car! So I decided that I would let in any oncoming vehicle trying to merge into my lane. And you know what? It felt great and maybe someone really had to be somewhere urgent! It’s great to know we have some control on how we feel and how we act! Thanks for the great advice: as always!
Love that attitude on the highway – it’s that kind of thinking that will unite us and connect us with compassion and love – beautiful share Carole!
OK. I’ll accept your challenge.
I’ll do it.
Thank you.
Fantastic Marie!
I’m going to join you in this challenge. In March of this year, I read a book called 29 Gifts in 29 Days and took that challenge. After the 29 days were over, I decided to continue to give one gift a day. The gifts don’t have to be monetary, they can be gifts of service and acts of kindness. I do occasionally forgot and miss a day so this your challenge will help me to again be more mindful in the gifts I give each day. Thank you!!
So awesome Susan! Love your enthusiasm for giving:))
What a wonderful message and challenge to pour love and light into others that we meet throughout our day. Sherri, you always inspire me and help me to be a better person!
Thank you Donna! Your feedback inspires me:)) Big hugs – think of you and smile:))
That is an awesome challenge…I’ll plan on this every morning, the prayers and positive thinking is a full time job but, the best outcome anyone can ask for!!!
fantastic Kim! Yes the outcome is greater than anything you can imagine!!! Thank you for joining the challenge!