15 years later, owning a dream
Just before Christmas, Chad put out a video on his personal Facebook page noting 7,136 CD’s in his garage leftover from the homeless J. era (and homeless Jesus even if any of you have known us back that far). Over $1,000 was donated in just 11 days (amazing!! thanks to everyone who has helped!). You can still give to the cause via Light Brigade Records. The donated money helps get much needed equipment for upcoming live performances in 2022…
Can I Do It? (Part 8)
Finally the issue of doing “it” has to rest solely at the feet of eternity. Whether by divine presence or by the unbiased passing of time, we are all judged. Our “works” (or “its”) in this world will be judged, brought to light, examined.
Do they pass the test of time? Are they regarded as useful? Does our story inspire future generations? Or, is our desire to leave a legacy actually part of the problem? Can we write the script for our examiners? What is ours to manage?
Can I Do It? (Part 7)
Finally, there is the question of what is “it” for? What will our “it” accomplish? What story will it tell? How will it inspire future generations? How will it ultimately remind people that there is more to life? How will it work?
Of course the artisans of the world may not bother themselves with such questions. They may be so focused on their skills that such deliberations are a distraction. They are doers. Engineers, not necessarily producers.
But there are those who possess the ability to see a new reality before anyone else. Some have the skills needed to bring that vision to life themselves. Others require the help and collaboration of others. True visionaries find a way.
They turn their heavenly or invisible reality into a physical one. But do be sure it starts inside them. In this sense, they join the very song of creation, where the Poet perfectly draws one letter in front of the other in perfect, magical harmony.
Can I Do It? (Part 6)
There can be no “it” without risk. Any great thing we do must have risk involved. And even the very concept of risk (especially of failure) is itself an assurance that we are considering something worthy of a child of God.
In other words our ultimate nature must come to bear on this discussion. Who are we really? If we are merely temporary creatures here only for a blink in time to somehow serve a future we can never participate in then life almost seems cruel.
We are cogs in the machine, here only to serve a system. We have no ultimate meaning or purpose outside of that temporary function. OR, really are eternal. We are not done at the ceasing of our breath, we merely transfer to another dimension.
Can I Do It? (Part 5)
Now we focus on the question: What is “it”? What are the things in life that rise to the level of an “it” that we pursue? Tucked into that answer is great insight into what “it” is in the first place and why it must rise to the level of pursuit.
Humans are wired to compete. When told that we can not do something, part of us wants to defy that reality (or mere opinion). We want to show to others or “prove” to them that we are capable, that we DO have what it takes.
Some of the greatest feats of human history have been done out of a sense of “I will show you.” Someone was told they couldn’t so they did, almost simply to spite the idea they could not. That may seem like playground “dare” mentality.
Can I Do It? (Part 4)
Power. It is incredibly important. It is the currency of entrepreneurism. When we have it (or perceive that we have it), we can move mountains. When we don’t have it (or perceive we can not), we can hardly move out of our own beds.
Power is not a “super”-power. It is not invincibility. It is not limitlessness. It is not the ability to do whatever we want. It is simply the internal permission to try. It is the mind and the heart giving clearance to the will to make a way.
That’s the great irony of power. It is exists independent of circumstance. It is completely internal. No one can give it to you, no one can take it away. Only you are given the authority to your own power. Only you have the key.