NOSES & ROSES & LAUGHS & GIRAFFES
Posted on: 2006-01-30

My Dear Colleague,

Have you ever wondered at God’s sense of humor? He is hilarious,
you know. The Bible tells us that God laughs. And when He has a
good belly laugh, I believe the thunder roars and the heavens
rumble. Now, for those who believe God is a “she,” that’s a
pretty deep voice for a woman, I’d say (smile).

Think about it. God gives the giraffe a strong appetite for the
tenderest leaves. Then He makes those leaves grow at the very
top of the tree and gives the giraffe an extremely long neck to
reach them.

And does it strike you as funny that our nose can run and our
feet can smell? Why does He make the roses so appealing, but
surrounds them with thorns?

Well, I don’t know that I can blame God’s humor for all this,
but haven’t you noticed that the most precious, wonderful things
you desire—your fondest dreams and aspirations—are among the
hardest things to attain? For example, how is it that freedom is
not free? There is always a price.

Talking about freedom…a few days ago, I had reason to reflect on
the days when I had a job. In the last couple years, I had
become restless. I was desperate for freedom…to be released from
the daily grind, the politics and the bureaucracy. I dreamed of
quitting my job and starting a business. Finally, the
opportunity came, and being in business has been wonderful.

However, in order to succeed, I’ve often had to “pull a rabbit
out of a hat,” “do the impossible,” and a hundred other clichés
that describe the challenges of a successful small business.

Here’s a perfect illustration. As I mentioned in my last Ezine,
I broadcast a radio program called The Journey to Greatness…a
daily dose of insight and inspiration. My production deadline
called for the last batch of CDs to get to Carolyn, the program
director, by Monday, in time for Tuesday’s broadcast.

Now, as the classic enthusiast who finds it hard to say no, last
week, I had too many A-priorities. After hustling through my A1,
A2 and A3 priorities, I came to A4...writing, recording, editing
and shipping the final batch of CDs. It was already Friday and I
only had two days to do four days of work, plus, allow time for
shipping. Impossible.

Besides, the computer running my audio equipment
crashed…permanently. My challenges: a different computer;
reinstallation; reconfiguration; time passing quickly. No sweat.
It was one of those things I knew simply had to get done. This
is radio, and on Tuesday at 12:20 p.m., there CANNOT be a five
minute gap of just silence. So I simply started, knowing that
the rabbit eventually had to come out of the hat.

Friday night, no sleep. Saturday, non-stop work until 2:00 a.m.
On Sunday, I went to the early church service, then drove
straight to the office. Don’t ask me how, but by Sunday night,
the job was completely done.

Oh, not quite done. There was a problem. This was Sunday night
and Carolyn had to have the CDs in hand on Monday. Federal
Express and UPS could not help. Besides, I know from experience
that “overnight” delivery service to Jamaica can take three to
four days!

Do you recall a time when your boss gave you an extremely
difficult task, with not enough time to do it? How did you
respond? One appropriate response would be to explain that the
expectations were unreasonable or impossible. I did not have
that option. The CDs had to arrive on time, or on Tuesday there
would be a five-minute hole on the radio! Very bad for business.

So I did something I could never imagine in a regular job. On
Monday morning, I checked the flights from Fort Lauderdale to
Kingston. I targeted a certain 12:40 p.m. flight, got dressed in
my finest business suit and went to the airport. I had prepared
two envelopes with complete sets of the CDs and documentation,
addressed to Carolyn’s business location in Kingston.

I waited patiently behind the lines for my break. I was going to
send my packages with two different people. At least one had to
arrive. The first person I approached was a man who seemed quite
scared of what I was asking. I’m sure he thought I was a
terrorist offering him dangerous materials that would cause him
to land in jail as he went through the security checkpoint.

He looked at me nervously and said, “Aah, I’ve got something
important to do before boarding,” then he hustled away.
Seriously, I watched him from a distance to see if he was going
to report me to security. After all, in the age of Bin Laden,
every airport repeatedly warns passengers not to accept unknown
items from strangers.

Well, it turned out fine. The very important thing he had to do
was to go to the shop at the end of the hall where he stuffed
his face with doughnuts and coffee. So I felt safe, returning to
wait behind the lines for the next opportunity.

Within the hour, my two packages were safely onboard. I
persuaded a female passenger to give me her name, carry the
package and accept a free copy of my book, “If Caterpillars Can
Fly ~ So Can I” in return for her kindness. I had similar
success with a kind Trinidadian gentleman.

Now, to be sure, every security precaution was taken. I had left
the package unsealed so that all parties could easily examine
the CDs and the three accompanying sheets of paper.

Next, I telephoned Carolyn in Kingston, preparing her to have
someone ready at the airport with an identifiable sign. Both
packages arrived safely and on time.

What did I learn from this? Being in business is a demanding
condition that often requires more of me than just having a job.
I’m telling you…my boss couldn’t have gotten away with making me
do some of the stuff I’ve had to do in business. I would have
reported him or her for “cruel and unusual punishment.”

God knows what He is doing, even though He often takes the
funniest paths. I asked for freedom and He gave me a business
that sometimes drives me like a slave. What’s so funny about
that? I have never in my born days felt more liberated,
exhilarated and fulfilled than after moments of conquest like I
had on Monday. My business provides many such moments—times
when, despite the pressures and demands, I often cannot tell the
difference between work and play!

Here are a few questions for you. What do you really want in
your life? What do you find most desirable—your greatest
aspiration? Are you willing to pay the price? Are the roses
worth the thorns? When called to do the impossible, do you
shrink back or do you learn to pull all kinds of strange things
out of a hat?

If you yearn for greatness—if you are beset by grand dreams and
expectations, then you’ll have to develop a sharp sense of humor
that laughs despite pressure and pain. You’ll have to redefine
the word “impossible.” Until you feel that level of hunger and
passion, don’t quit your day job—if you pardon the cliché.

Our pathways may be funny and sometimes hard, but I believe we
can laugh with God.  Why? Because the treasure-hunt of life is a
game designed for us to win.

Take it from me: this attitude will give you altitude.

Alvin