I had to have a bit of an awkward discussion with one of my children recently. Awkward because I am so very proud of my kids. They truly do do a great job at school and with their extra activities. But, this conversation was all about putting forth the effort of the extra distance. Basically, not doing life "half-assed". (is there another word for that type of behavior? Half - baked doesn't seem to cut it.) Anyway. I made mention to the child that possibly they would have a more satisfying result in whatever it is that they are doing if the extra effort was put forth as opposed to doing the basic required steps to get by at "good enough" status.
I told the child, if it is worth the time to do it - it is worth the time to do it well. Isn't it? Watching someone only go through the motions, and then making the motions sloppy is just plain painful to watch. When I watch a dancer, I want to see movements that sparkle and snap. Or movements that look so effortless that it just appears natural. I want that extra "pop" - that is what makes anyone stand out from all the rest. When I watch someone give a presentation, I want to know that they are enjoying giving the presentation - that they are excited to share the information, not that it is a dreaded task that they are slogging through. At a performance of any sort - the ones that make it look fun, that have prepared above and beyond - they are the ones that we all remember, and enjoy watching.
When I ask for a chore to be done around the house, I'm not foolish enough to think that my kids are going to do said chore with a smile on their face and a pep in their step. But, could it be done to the best of their ability? Could it be done as though excellence was the standard, and not simply do the least needed to get by? As human beings, why is it that we gravitate to doing as little as possible and expecting great results from that? Sorry for all the rhetorical questions.
I explained to the child that attitude matters. If you don't like being told what to do by your mother, then you are smart enough to look around, see the tasks that need to be done, and do them before I ask! (the children tease me from time to time by doing this, so I KNOW that they can see/do it!) Make the effort sparkly and make it pop. Go the extra distance. It applies in everything we do.
I see adults in my life that do just the bare minimum to get by. You see them too, I'm sure. The ones that do their workout but barely break a sweat. But, they DID go. Whatever. The ones who offer to serve on a committee, but only show up for one meeting, if ever. The ones who come to church on a Sunday morning, but don't even open their mouth to sing or greet another human. Again I ask - WHY do it at all if you aren't going to go the extra distance?
Then, it hit me. Here we sit on Ash Wednesday. Entering the season of Lent. I'm guessing that God may think the same thing about me. Amy - WHY do ______ if you aren't going to go the distance? I would think that God gets fed up (ok, human terms - not that God really does) with all the humanity this side of heaven not "getting it" and putting forth the effort that we are capable of putting forth.
We go through the motions, but don't really do anything extra - no sparkle or pop to set us apart. If we did - what an amazing world it would be because everyone would have their own area where they would sparkle. I'm sure of it. We just don't find it because we are comfortable in getting by. Being, ahem, "half-baked". (which is only good in certain cookies and brownies btw)
I challenged the child of mine to make a change in attitude. To start going the extra distance. I can see that there are areas in my own life that need to be addressed as well. I guess I will look for that sparkle to come from me, too. I know that I love things that sparkle!
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