To the ambitious Colton James, a solitary kitchen chair is the ultimate key to the universe.
Hot eggs in a pan, water from the sink, and light switches are instantly obtainable when a friendly chair is pushed across the house to the premeditated destination. To make a long story short, the key to the universe has been put in a temporary time out. Chairs locked away in the spare bedroom create a safer environment for the adventurous toddler... and I can finally brush my teeth in peace once again.
Sometimes I find myself believing that the ultimate key to the universe is found in greatness. In my mind, greatness requires exceptional creativity, supreme mothering skills, and unquestioned reliability for my friends and family.
I have driven my child to school in his underwear when he refused (for two hours) to get dressed for school. Occasionally the television allows me to write for a couple minutes. And sometimes I leave important messages for friends on the wrong answering machine.
The gap between the person I am today and the person I wish to become is wide. I am far from the greatness I wish to embrace. Haunting my brain, the everlasting gap makes me question my ability to ever forge the distance and embrace greatness.
In these moments, Nate often reminds me to "flip the coin" and to embrace the other side of the puzzle. There is no pre-designed measure of greatness...only greatness. Each of us - in our own respected sphere - has the ability to define greatness through our efforts to give our best each and every day.
Locking away our obsessive self-doubts, criticism, and guilt into an everlasting time out is a challenging feat - one that requires supreme strength and effort. Learning to love ourselves - despite our weaknesses - is the true key to the universe. Great heights will never be attained when we are marinating in an emotionally harmful environment.
Take a step up and lock away the self-doubt.
Greatness is waiting for you.
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