Be the Best Version of YOU

Since hearing the phrase “Be the best version of yourself”, I’ve not only endeavored to apply those words to myself, but in the few days I've been with my two younger grandsons, I spoke those words to them several times. You know, that smack-talking kids like to do when they’re playing competitive games with each other. Well, for that matter….the smack-talking anyone babbles out at any time. It seems humorous at the time – but REALLY….is that being the best version of ourselves when any kind of disparaging “talk” comes from us? 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says “Encourage one another and build each other up.”

Be the best version of yourself. What does that really mean? It could be applied to our physical well being and how we treat and take care of our mind and bodies. It could be directed at being all we can be – getting as much education as we can, always being willing to develop more skills and abilities, becoming a better cook, handyman or woman, learning a foreign language, becoming a well-rounded athlete – taking all those gifts and talents God placed within us and using them all to our greatest potential.

But for this post, I’m applying those words “Be the best version of yourself” to who we are as a caring, giving and loving human being. Our world is full of those who seem intent on “fault-finding”, scrutinizing and examining others – politicians, entertainers, religious leaders, athletes, etc. That attitude oftentimes takes hold of us in our own sphere of influence. We, take on that tendency to look at others with an eye for fault-finding. Maybe it's times to take a look at the ONE we are responsible for -- that's us! It's time to look inward with a thorough self-analysis, and ask these questions: “Are you the friend you wish you had?” “Are you the wife/husband, mother/ father, daughter/son, sister/brother that you wish you had?” In other words, instead of pulling out the “10 Things I Don’t Like About You” to someone else, maybe it’s the ideal time to make a list that says “10 Things I Can Do to Improve ME” so that I become the friend, spouse, child, sibling I wish I had.

I want to be THAT friend that I want to have – a friend that is trustworthy, kind, giving, caring, not overbearing and not a meddler. How many times have I wished for a friend to put their arm around me and help me know “everything’s gonna’ be alright? If I want that, then I start with me. I want to be the noticer of people who need an arm put around their shoulder that encourages them. Who can I encourage and put my arm around today? How many times have I wanted someone to notice me and welcome me to their circle? My response to those feelings is “I need to be the one that welcomes others to my circle or my group or my conversation”.

Being the best version of ourselves is first to BE – be the beautiful creation God made us to be by appreciating all that God placed within us to BE – that quirky laugh that brightens up a room with joy; those big brown eyes that see the pain and needs of others and does something about it; that voice that speaks encouragement and hope into others, and that mind that consciously conjures up ways to change this world for the better. Most of all to be that ONE that sets the example of God’s love and peace to others…..so that they want YOU to be their best friend. In so doing – we ARE being the best version of ourselves!

It Made a Difference to That One!

Oftentimes, we tend to focus on what's wrong with others or what's wrong in our nation or what's wrong in our places of business. Isn't it time we do a self analysis about how we can be the influencer for CHANGE that impacts our world?

Sure there are the obvious world changers like Jesus Christ, Martin Luther King, President Ronald Reagan, Mother Teresa ...but what about the Mom & Dad who influence their kids for greatness, the volunteers at charitable organizations who daily touch people's lives, the grandparent who never ceases to pray for their family, and those who are willing to be the difference maker in someone who needs that extra word of encouragement and hope -- to not give up....TODAY?

One of the sweet ladies who attends my Life Group, was on her way to our meeting last week, but first stopped at the service station. As she went in, she saw a dissheveled young man sitting on the curb. She came out, and he was still there, and she passed him by. Almost to my house, she couldn't get that young man off her mind -- and had to turn around. She got to him and handed him all the cash she had with her, and said, "God bless you" and his reply, "No, God BLESS YOU!"

Seems like a tall order to be a world changer....but when we consider the effect we can make on one person's life, we can sure be their WORLD changer! We're counting on that act of kindness, by my friend -- to be the world CHANGER that young man needed. It's like the story of the old man throwing starfish back into the sea, and when asked "Old man, don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it! You can’t possibly save them all, you can’t even save one-tenth of them. In fact, even if you work all day, your efforts won’t make any difference at all.” The old man listened calmly and then bent down to pick up another starfish and threw it into the sea. “It made a difference to that one.”