The Dream Chaser

Chapter 3Don't Take Your Gifts for Granted

There are gifts we have that we take for granted every day. We have an opportunity, and we don't seize it. We see this opportunity, and we know it's ours for the taking, but we let it slip away. I'm not sure why we do this, but for me I think I feared success. I feared greatness. I was afraid to be amazing. They say that everything that goes up must come down. I didn't want to go up to my highest heights because I didn't want to be knocked down. What I didn't realize at the time is that you don't have to be knocked down. You can do your time, run your course, and then choose to come down and retire when it's time. I didn't want to feel any pain of gain. I didn't want to do the hard work that comes with greatness. I was comfortable coasting and doing just enough to get by. But we don't get results when we're comfortable. Comfort is for the sleeping. If you want to sleep through life, then get comfortable; but if you want to be great in this life, then you'll have to stretch yourself.

Sometimes when your gift is your means to a better end, you have to become passionate about your gift even if you aren't. Your gift comes freely, but at times it may be a burden until you've found your purpose. It may even be a little painful until you've found your purpose. You'll have to sacrifice a lot before you get some time to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor. When I was in college, my dad would often call me and always say, “Son, if you sacrifice ...