MAKE EACH DAY YOUR MASTERPIECE
In the spirit of March Madness rapidly approaching (the college basketball post season tournament) I’d like to dedicate this post to the greatest coach to ever live (I don’t think there’s much of a debate here… he was the greatest) John Wooden. Could you imagine what your life would be like if you lived each and every day with purpose? Imagine what it would be like if you woke up and created a masterpiece in everything that you did, with an extraordinary passion and attention to detail as if it were your last opportunity, chance or moment to live. John Wooden said, “Make each day your masterpiece.” If you really stop and think about those 5 words spoken by the legendary coach, you start to understand how important each and every day is, and how meaningful your life can be if you chose to make the most of right now.
One of my favorite stories is an ancient anecdote of three men who are cutting stone. If you know me well, you’ve probably heard me mention this story in one of my speeches, but it’s so good that you obviously would like me to tell it again, so here it goes...
There once were three men cutting stone. A traveler walked by and asked the first man, “My dear fellow, what are you doing?” and the first man grumbled and answered, “What does it look like I’m doing…? I’m cutting stone!” and the traveler moved on to the second of the three men and asked him the same question, “My dear fellow, what are you doing?” The second man paused to look up at the traveler and said, “I am earning a living,” and he continued to cut the stone. The traveler proceeded towards the third man and asked him the same exact question, “My dear fellow, what are you doing?” The third man stopped for a moment, smiled at the traveler and said, “I’m building a Cathedral.”
You see all three men were doing the same exact thing; cutting stone. But only one man had meaning. Only one man had superior purpose. Only one man had a vision. Only one man was making his masterpiece. My mentor told me that you’re never stagnant; you’re either moving towards your goals or falling behind. Ask yourself, “What am I doing today to get closer to my goals? How am I building my masterpiece?”
Did you know that it took Leonardo DaVinci two years to paint his masterpiece…the Mona Lisa? TWO YEARS!!! Thirty inches tall and barely twenty-one inches wide. Two years to paint less than a square inch a day, and it turned out to be a magnificent work of art. Or take Michelangelo’s statue of David. Three years to sculpt a 17 foot marble figure. That’s less than 2 inches a day! But I bet if we were to ask DaVinci and Michelangelo what the heck they were doing, they would say they saw their “masterpiece” each and every day, it just took time for everyone else to see it. It is okay if other’s don’t understand your plans, can’t see or apprehend your vision, or can’t recognize your journey… it’s not there’s to understand.
Make each day count by living with passion and with purpose. Even though others may not see it when you do, create your masterpiece; an exemplary work of art in all that you do. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Blessings and Love,
Marti Reed