…my temporary assignment.

“…The crowd is a large part of the problem. The raucous voices of so many, the insistent bray of the advertising culture, the confusing Babel of competing spiritualities—all of it makes us deaf to God’s word. And therefore, we have to be moved to a place of silence and communion. 

Jesus draws us into his space, the space of the Church.”

– Bishop Robert Barron

Taken from yesterday’s gospel reflection regarding the healing of a deaf man.  

While the whole of his offering was truly thought provoking, it was this aspect that resonated. Taking him away from the crowd, He was then able to connect with that man in a way he never knew.  Drawing him away from all of them so that he could for once be with Him.  

Fitting lesson considering the times we live in.  

One can find themselves inundated by the raucous voices of many in all manner of media, overwhelmed by the insistent bray of the advertising culture in every shape, manner and form  and deluged by a bewildering array of ego driven spiritual competition. 

Speaking from experience, the most challenging aspect of this can be drawing yourself away from the current space and into that space.  His space.  A venue absent of the din.  A setting that provides one hearing in a manner that truly matters. Absolute sustenance.

Again, speaking from experience,  a very challenging venture to say the least. But throughout those sparse moments of success, it does bring one a true sense of peace. A chance to actually hear.  And finally connect in a lasting manner. 

Communion.

“If you aren’t in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?”   

― T.S. Eliot

There is no better way to announce your expectations regarding performance and display your intention to succeed than to go “all in”.  To fully embrace the unknown of the moment and intentionally “be in over your head”. 

Just plunging in – come hell or high water – speaks to a level of confidence, courage and intent  that is born to overcome any challenge that presents itself.  A limitless passion to achieve, intention to become and devotion to fulfill the cause.  Truly potent responses to a circumstance or occasion that you sense is ripe with both risk and opportunity.   

Sure, there can be that initial shock, the exhilaration that always accompanies the initial act of “jumping in”. But that too will pass, and the distance between the top of your noggin and the challenge begins to change.  Perhaps it is the depth of the challenge that is diminishing. Maybe it is the recognition that you are really in your element. Where you are supposed to be. 

In fact, you are truly rising to the occasion. For it is your response to each and every challenge  that will always control and enhance your stature. 

So don’t spend your life playing small.  You should always be playing big. Your current frame should never command the limits of your ambition – nor your doubts –  the trajectory of your life.

You are much taller than you could ever imagine.  

So just jump right in.  

“Play over your head.” 

“I am only one, but I am one. I can’t do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will.”

Edward Everett Hale

There might be times or situations where things can seem overwhelming. That can be the nature of adversity. It is meant to test you, to elicit a response, in thought, word or deed.

True, you cannot do everything. 

But there is one thing you are always capable of doing, no matter what: your best. And even if you fall short, you will never regret how you embraced the effort.

You are obligated to do your best, because you are built for it. 

It is already in you. 

It just needs to be called forth.

Without regret.

“Everything you want is just outside your comfort zone.” 

 Robert Allen

If you think about it, there can be no growth without some discomfort. To become “bigger” you must exceed the confines of your current boundaries. Pushing yourself up and out.

To become a better athlete, you must work out and break yourself down to enhance your physical strength, increase your speed and raise your stamina. Speaking from experience, that brings some hurt.

To become all you can be academically, you must study in an intentional and intense manner. There are honors classes and graduate courses. Projects, clubs and societies. Endeavors guaranteed to take take you out of your comfort level – but essential to open the door to opportunity, towards a degree, certificate and your life’s vocation.

To embrace all you can be artistically, you need develop your expression. You must create, discern the result and begin again, again and again before it develops a resonance within others. Failure must be an option if you intend to ultimately achieve what lay within.

And to become a better person, you have to learn to give up yourself and “leave it on the field”. Especially as a member of a team, you must learn to set aside some of the things you might want, need or dream of so that the whole can become what it is intended to be at this moment. The sacrifice needed to release potential and spur achievement.

Whether muscle soreness, mental exhaustion, or the uncertainty that can accompany sacrifice, each can be tough adversary to face and overcome.

And all reside exclusively just outside of your comfort zone.

It is a choice.

Remain confined.

Or break out and grow.

“Paint a masterpiece daily. Always

autograph your work with excellence.”

Greg Hickman

Each day, you have an opportunity to be extraordinary – to “paint a masterpiece” if you so desire.

However, circumstances or events can distract or get in the way and expediency can step

in and overrule effort. Losing focus of your goals can cloud your judgement, weaken your commitment and dissipate your sense of self-discipline.

You weren’t put here to be average, to just get by and leave all of your abundant talents

and gifts to lay fallow. Every moment is an opportunity to leave your mark: to autograph your work with excellence.

Cast a long lasting impression, have an impact and be what you are meant to be:

Extraordinary.