“This is what I have, and I’m here now.”
I love learning from stories, analogies and parables. I thrive when I plug into people who are where I want to be, have what I want to have and are doing what I want to do and I am able to share their journey and hear their stories and apply them to my own life. Because of this, I offer my life as an experiment and a lesson for others, as well.
Over the years, I have heard to the story of the feeding of the masses many times. It’s a staple of Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and can always be counted on to create a powerful sermon. It’s a story of a miracle, and who doesn’t love a story of a miracle? Hollywood depends on it.
Usually, in this story, the focus is on Jesus. Jesus took 5 loaves and 2 fish, 5 loaves and 2 fish, and he fed the masses. He made enough out of not enough.
Okay, but what happened before that?
Do you know how you can hear or see or experience something more than once, and you will find the nuggets when you need them, and when you have the eyes to see and the ears to hear? You know when you watch a movie again or read a book or listen to an audio, and you hear or see something different, something that you didn’t know was there before? That is how it was for me recently. I was really looking when this little story came my way, and I had the eyes and the ears to see and hear something very different. It came in the way of this very simple story, and the impact has been huge.
I want to focus on the boy. This boy, who probably was brought along to this exact place on this day, maybe by others, maybe of his own accord. He might have known he was going to see something exciting, something special, but was he able to glimpse even a little what an integral role he would play in this event?
The boy was there when someone noticed that the people were tired and hungry. The boy was a part of the crowd that was calling for someone to provide for them. Everyone was looking around. Who will bring food for us all? The logical answers would be to look to the leaders of the community, the organizers of the event, or the wealthy townspeople who might donate something to those in need.
The boy was standing there with 5 loaves and 2 fish, looking out upon this great crowd. He had to know there wasn’t enough, and yet no one else was stepping forward to offer a solution.
And then he showed up. This is what I have, and I’m here now.
He didn’t let “Who am I?,” “What do I have to offer?,” “I don’t have enough,” or “I’m not ready” stand in his way. He showed up.
How many times in our lives do we say, “I’m not ready yet,” when an opportunity presents itself? How often do we think, “I don’t have enough to make a difference”?
Many of us have heard the quote attributed to both Nelson Mandela and Marianne Williamson, which asks, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?” And then, “Who are you not to be?”
The Universe supports Action. Every moment counts. Every moment there’s a choice point. The integral piece of your life in every moment is You. You are the force behind what happens in your life. Don’t let things just happen to you. Don’t look around seeing a need and waiting for someone else, someone better or more qualified, to step up. You step up, you step out, and the Universe steps in to meet you.
We cannot know the full picture, the effect we will truly have. We don’t need to. The boy had 5 loaves and 2 fish – this is what I have, and I’m here now – and he showed up. The Supernatural took care of the rest.
One of the most important guiding principles I ever learned was Leave the How’s to the Universe. I show up as I am with what I have. I show up in every moment, every day. And from right where I am, I offer what I have. This creates an energy that activates the full support of the Universe. Lives are changed. Among them, mine. Profoundly.
A beloved Coach I had several years ago challenged me to fully live this way, and I took it to heart. She told me to believe that in every moment you have everything you need to do what you are here to do. Bring all you have and all you are to every moment. Offer it, and allow the Universe to take it and weave it into the greater whole.
You have something to offer, and you’re here now.
I challenge you to fully live this way, starting now, and I am here to support and guide you if you are looking for a Teacher, Mentor, Spiritual Advisor and Coach.