Throwing in your log

“It’s hard for me to like the person kicking me in the head when I’m on the ground. But then I realize I don’t have to like them, I just have to love them.”
~Martin Luther King

Facilitating several leadership workshops in the past few weeks, I’ve heard these words used numerous times. A group of business owners used it to describe how they feel about politicians; a mother used it to describe her children; a nurse describing doctors. Probably all of us have used this same statement to describe a singular person or a group of individuals.

My reminder to the workshop participants, and to you today, is that you don’t have to like the challenges in politics, egos in others, adversities in the world or personal limitations. Instead, we are called to embrace them, learn from them, actually begin to love them, and then take action toward changing them.

With these recent groups, I shared a poem intended for parents to accept responsibility, forgive and move forward. A poem for leaders sick of economic challenges. A poem for our two-party system that much prefers pointing out weaknesses that divide instead of celebrating strengths that unite. It’s a poem for you, my friends, as you balance the many strains in your life.

It’s a poem by JP Kinney that speaks to why we stop pouring ourselves into others and the devastating impact of our inaction.

Six humans trapped by happenstance, In dark and bitter cold,
Each possessed a stick of wood — Or so the story’s told.

Their dying fire in need of logs; But the first one held hers back,
For, of the faces around the fire; She noticed one was black.

The next one looked cross the way; Saw one not of his church,
And could not bring himself to give; The fire his stick of birch.

The third one sat in tattered clothes; He gave his coat a hitch,
Why should his log be put to use; To warm the idle rich?

The rich man just sat back and thought; Of wealth he had in store,
And keeping all that he had earned; From the lazy, shiftless poor.

The black man’s face bespoke revenge; As the fire passed from his sight,
For he saw in his stick of wood; A chance to spite the white.

And the last man of this forlorn group; Did nought except for gain,
Giving just to those who gave; Was how he played the game.

Their sticks held tight in death’s stilled hands; Was proof enough of sin;
They did not die from cold without; They died from cold within.

My friends, crossing arms in anger, selfishness and arrogance devastates more than most recognize. It creates destructive tension between countries, among world religions, in marriages, at schools, in businesses and in every relationship.

Today, choose to throw your log into the fire. Choose to forgive that wrong, to tell her again you’re sorry, to thank him again for his efforts, to pass along the word of gratitude, to take that unexpected, selfless step for someone else.

Yeah, throwing your log into a dying fire provides light and warmth for others. But be prepared for the unexpected warmth and light you’ll provide yourself, too.

John O’Leary
www.RisingAbove.com

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I’m expecting you’ll find it very navigable, beautiful, and inspiring! www.RisingAbove.com

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Check us out and stay tuned! The best is yet to come! www.RisingAbove.com

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Last month we were fortunate to share our message with these organizations:

Don’t let time and distance keep you away from daily inspiration! Join us online and let’s continue igniting life!

John O’Leary
www.RisingAbove.com