STOP to Smell The Roses!

I have learned that we have to stop to smell the roses in our lives. Many of us go through life in all of its busyness and don't stop to appreciate the roses - the beautiful things - God has placed in our lives. When we do stop to appreciate the beauty, it truly enhances our entire life!

Yesterday I watched the memorial service for Michael Jackson along with the rest of the world. For a couple of hours (and probably longer if I count the time I spent thinking and talking about his life, listening to his music, reviewing his videos, and just reliving my experiences of him) I paused to take inventory of all he did in his 50 years and all that he gave through his music and his giving spirit. He was an amazingly talented man who simply gave all he had to give to his craft. He was a remarkable entertainer who could consistently move me beyond words and he did so for many people. I don't know another person who has had such an impact on others.

In my paused moment, I realized that he has been a fixed part of my life. He simply was. When I was young I would listen to MJ’s music and simply be in awe and delight and would express it so. However, as I got older I didn’t stop to listen or appreciate his music. It was simply a part of my life. I would hear the music and dance but I had come to take it for granted - I wasn't listening to the words nor feeling the art. I was simply used to the music and him being a part of the day’s culture. But, his death, and all the events surrounding his death, really caused me to look more deeply at what he did to add to the beauty in my life. I had to acknowledge his brilliance, genius, and anointing as it related to his music and its message, his delivery and its soul. That gift can only come from God, and as Maya Angelou stated: We Had Him. God gives gifts to one so that others can be blessed, that those blessed will look up to the one who gave the gift.

I truly believe that the entire world yesterday looked up to God to acknowledge and thank Him for giving us such a beautiful gift. MJ’s music was absolutely beautiful and put smiles on millions of faces and touched millions of souls. And, I don’t mean to sound greedy. But, I pray that God doesn’t stop blessing us… I shutter at the thought of Michael no longer living among us to create such beautiful music. I hope that God continues to bless us by giving us another like Michael whom he anointed so and who was so willing to give of himself inspite of the pains of doing so. Maybe next time we’ll appreciate the blessing sooner. (And, I'm not talking about the media, I'm talking about all of us who may have taken his music and his gift for granted. While his music will always be among us, the vessel through which new and fresh creations were manifested is no longer)

So, what does the beauty of MJs music have to do with me getting to my destiny?

Well, there are many lessons in his life and music that relate to me getting to my destiny, but I’ll focus on one for this blog entry. I need to stop and really notice and appreciate all the beauty that God has given me along my journey. We all know – or at least we say we know – that it’s not about where you end up, it’s about enjoying the journey. That is partly why I started blogging so that I could begin to pay closer attention to the journey and be less anxious about the destination. The journey is where life is. So, not only is there importance in the lessons and the relational experiences along the way, there are simply physical pleasures that God has given us to help make the journey enjoyable as well. But, if we never stop to notice first and appreciate second that which He has so specially made for us to enjoy, we miss seeing and experiencing God for ourselves. And, that is so important.

Sunsets and beaches are for our enjoyment, just as music and poetry and many other beautiful and artistic creations are as well. I must consciously take a moment to stop what I am doing to FOCUS on them rather than having them always being a backdrop or soundtrack for my life. When I FOCUS on them I actually can realize their enormous value and give the appropriate appreciation to the giver (the vessel) and the gifter (God). If I do not, I will look up and the blessing will be gone before I realize how much of a blessing it really was.

I don’t know about you, but since there is so much value and richness in the beauty of what God has gifted, I want to realize and enjoy it fully. The journey is tough enough, let me do all that I can to enjoy the ride... He designed it so that I would!!