Sometimes I fight the thought that who I am and what I do is not so special, not significant and not enough.
Do you fight that fight too?
When I am feeling less than, I am happy to stand at the back, to be the one behind scenes, to sit and wallow a bit. I close in on myself because I don’t really feel like talking to people and wearing my insignificance around others.
Is that what you do?
How do you get out of this spot? I mean I would like to know how you dig out of this.
Here’s something that speaks to me.
Five days out of the week I drive the kids to and from school. There is a crossing guard that we see just before we get to the school. She wears a reflective vest and gloves, a hat and has a stop sign that she uses to help parents and kids safely cross the street. She waves to every single car that passes her. She stops traffic for runners, dog walkers and parents who are walking their kids to school. I wave to her four times a day which equals 20 times a week and sometimes more if someone forgets a lunch, book bag or worksheet. I love her. She doesn’t know my name but I love her. I love her because every car that passes gets a cheery wave; every parent, child and dog that walks past her gets a friendly smile and hello. She rocks this gig as a crossing guard. But that’s not exactly why she inspires me.
She shows up every day. She waves. She smiles. She says, “See me.” I am here and though some may say what I do is insignificant – I am not insignificant, there’s no way they can think that. Acknowledge me. Stop and chat and I will hand your kids a piece of candy because who I am and what I do matters. That is why she inspires me. She stands at her post every morning and afternoon, rain or shine, stiffling hot or crunchy cold and says, “See me.”
It takes courage to repeatedly step out and be you. It is also one of the best ways to encourage others who are tempted to hide their significance. We are each individual masterpieces. Sometimes I forget. And when I do my friendly neighborhood crossing guard reminds me. You don’t take a masterpiece and hide it. You don’t throw a shroud of insignificance over a fine work of art. A fine sculpture takes center stage in an art museum, in the kitchen, at the office or at the crossroads that lead to the school. We are each sculpted with love, created with unique talents, and the breath of God is in us. You are breath-taking – even on the days when you feel less then fine art. So stand tall. Stand confidently. Use your talents and abilities because the world needs significant you. Don’t stay behind the scenes, content in the background, step out and take center stage in your life. We need to see you. I need to see you.
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