I Dare You To Do Better

I Dare You To Do Better

(Written for high school graduates)

      In a blockbuster movie a young man was told of his father’s great accomplishments, and that revelation was followed with “I dare you to do better.”

      In a similar way those who transition from one phase of their life to another (eg. graduations) have that challenge too.  What will you accomplish with the best of your abilities.  Some of you will go to college, others will choose a different path.  It is all a continuation of the preparation for what will come later in life.  An important part of it will be stay connected in your faith.  The bonds of our family and our family of faith can support and encourage us with incredible strength for the journey.

     Whichever path you choose, God will use all of your experiences, knowledge and wisdom to bless others; but only if you are open to that possibility.  God uses all our abilities while also overcoming our disabilities and (perceived) inabilities.  The most important one that God wants, which is in our control, is our availability.

     God looks for helpers and workers to assist with tasks.  When we are willing, God helps us prepare for the opportunity we are presented.

     Mother Teresa said (maybe others before her did too) “We do not do great things.  We do small things with great love.”  It is in reflecting on the accomplishments that we realize the magnitude and the far-reaching effects.

     Another quote is “We cannot do all the good the world needs, but the world needs all the good we can do.”  We must be willing to make the good choices and do the right things.  It is when we look outward from ourselves to do what needs to be done, that we can avoid the prideful in favor of acting humbly, and finish tasks the way God wants.

     Accept the invitation, make availability your priority, stay connected to the Source that can be your strength, build-up your support group — then be the best person you can be, doing your best!