JAYDEE HARPER
not at home, I had to first stop by my house to pick up a few items to finish getting dressed. I walked through my front door and saw that my living roomwas in disarray. My heart dropped as I walked to the back of my house and sawmy rear door glass shattered. To make a long story short, it took a while for the police and forensics to do their job, so I missed my uncle’s funeral. After the police left, I sat on my couch, feeling very alone. Again, I heard, “ Be afraid of being in the same place one year from today,” again follo wed by “Some events you will just have to miss.” Really? Missing a dear uncle’s funeral was not what I had in mind when that quote popped in my mind that morning. What about missing a girls' night out? Or a church service that I didn’t want to attend anyway? Missing a day of work or a birthday party of that co-worker who aggravated me. Those events would have been more ideal. There was no reason to debate it; I accepted that I could not choose what events I would miss because God orchestrates everything. I sat alone and sulked.
because we focus so much on one part, we tend to miss the bigger picture. For instance, I focused so much on the “some events you will have to miss” that I overlooked the first part, which was essential: “ Be afraid of being in the same place one year from today.” I am purposeful about self- improvement, almost obsessed, so just the thought of going 365 days without progressing in any way is like death by drowning, taking in an ounce of water at a time: slow and agonizing. For me to be where I am today next year is frightful and unacceptable. If I have to miss several events to be in a different place next year, I will gladly do it. Even if it is the funeral of a very special uncle. If the pain leads to a better me, I will not resist it but welcome it. Missing events could merely be self-improvement knocking on your door. Or, in some cases, kicking in your door. Don't worry; put your seatbelt on because the ride to another level of self- improvement is about to begin. Be determined that you will not be in the same place one year from today. Happy growing!
Jelecia "JayDee" Harper Area 42 Director and Training Team Chair Division D, District 66 Toastmasters International, Inc.
"Where Leaders are Made" Don ’ t Stay Where You Are! One warm morning in August a few years ago, I awoke, and a quote that I had seen on the internet entered my mind. “ Be afraid of being in the same place one year from today,” immediately followed by, “Some events you will just have to miss.” No matter how hard I tried, it kept repeating playing in the background of my mind like soft music in a shopping mall. I pushed it aside and got ready to face the dreadful day ahead; my family was preparing to attend one of my favorite uncles' funeral. Because I was
The lesson that I learned that day is that, oftentimes,
Happy Growing!
15 | P a g e T A K E C E N T E R S T A G E & O W N I T !
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