What Lies Within?!

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” Author Unknown

The above quote is one of my favorites because it speaks to a truth that is often overlooked and undervalued. In fact I believe in a lot of ways each day in our society we are encouraged to minimize the importance of what lies within and to focus only on what is on the outside. However I believe that what matters most in this life is what lies within our hearts—our true desires, dreams and character.

Have you ever wondered how seemingly ordinary people are able to accomplish amazing things? Sometimes this has to do with what lies within—within their heart and not what they actually accomplish. There is often something in them that drives them, pushes them, and pulls them to achieve unbelievable feats that bless the lives of others.

Yet still regardless of what we accomplish or achieve in this life it matters little in comparison to the type of people we are or become. Many of the most amazing, happy, and successful people are extremely unassuming, humble, and self-effacing and therefore are not well known. Yet, because of who they are, they have a profound impact on those around them and often change the world.

So how do we develop what lies within, or how do we change it or improve it? The one way and perhaps the only way is by striving to do the right thing at all times and in all places regardless of circumstance. This includes not only our actions but also our thoughts and our desires and being true to our conscious. This includes honesty, integrity, kindness, and generosity. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of times a day we may feel impressed to do the right thing but the hard part is obeying. When we do choose to obey we strengthen our character and what lies within us. And when we don’t obey, we weaken it.

So what lies within you? Is it what you want it to be? The good thing is that we and only we have the ability to impact, change, and become who we want to be. We decide what lies within us!!

I challenge each of us to remember the importance of what lies within us, to cultivate and do those things that will protect, build up, and improve always what is within us regardless of the seeming sacrifices it will require. Indeed, at times this will require us to get out of our comfort zone, to stretch ourselves and to do things that we don’t normally do but as we listen to our impressions and obey our conscious, we will strengthen what lies within us. And only by doing this can we capture and live to our full potential and fully enjoy a successful life.