On the wall of my garage I have posted a photo of a lion. It contains the message of how a lion awakes in the morning and begins hunting for a gazelle. It also shows a distant gazelle and states how it must be ready to run to escape the lion. The message is that when the sun comes up, lion or gazelle, each must awake ready to run.

I believe it is that way with winners. Driven by the purpose for which they were born, winners awake running their race. It only requires a moment of observation to realize that most people do not live this way. Instead, they awake to drudgery, plow through a day uninspired, and chalk it up to "earning a living."

Sad.

Perhaps money is the culprit. Everything is fine until money gets involved. Then all sorts of weirdness breaks out. People surrender their freedoms, their dignity, and sometimes both, just to obtain the illusion of security that income brings. There are very few things more unsightly than someone bent on economic gain at the price of their honor. 

True champions, however, deal in the currency of purpose. They trade their time and effort for greater contribution. Their blood, sweat, and toil is invested in the pursuit of a God-given calling. And for those true to their inner voice, they never actually "work" at all, because everything they do is in line with their highest picture of themselves. 

Separate yourself from the herd. Step out from the crowded chamber of complacency. Dare to live the life you've always known you could, and should. If you don't try, you'll never know. If you don't risk, you'll always wonder. Live your purpose and pursue your calling. Be about your business. And when the sun comes up, we'll look for you among the champions. I'm sure we'll find you, like the lion and the gazelle, running. 

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8 responses to “When the Sun Comes Up . . .”

  1. Christi Wilson Avatar
    Christi Wilson

    Wow!!! Very Encouraging! Thanks Chris!!

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  2. Rick Lloyd Avatar
    Rick Lloyd

    Both are running for their survival – but is it not better to be the hunter and rather than the hunted – chasing our dreams and rather than being chased by our fears?

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  3. Kirk Harris Avatar
    Kirk Harris

    Great message. Thanks for all you do.Looking forward to a great 2010.

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  4. Janine Shapiro Avatar
    Janine Shapiro

    thank you. We will be hitting the raod running! Our dream is a big one and we need to be fit and willing. Your encouragement is just what we needed

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  5. Ian Pardington Avatar
    Ian Pardington

    IM CHASING SHARKS, I WONDER WHAT THAT MAKES ME? =)

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  6. Phyllis Hoff Avatar
    Phyllis Hoff

    Chris:
    Wow! Great analogy. I have loved lions all my life. For a gift over 15 – 20 years ago, I received a large photo framed of the male lion with the mane, etc.
    I love the photo, and I love the animal.
    Maybe I have been meant to run for a long time.
    I know each morning when I awake, I try to make that day a productive one.
    You have given me even more to think about with this post.
    Perhaps there are more things I need to accomplish on a daily basis.
    Thanks Chris as always for the insight.

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  7. Michelle Jaquette Avatar

    Chris.. I just read your rascal tweet: “You can handle more than you think you can”
    That really made me think about the depth of your statement and the story of the lion.
    Making a Difference will not always be easy, maybe, even the hardest thing we have ever done. Still, if we can save just one, how many more generations might be changed forever, for the better?
    Thank you for causing us to think, to reach down deep, to put one foot in front of another, and to focus growing forward.

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