On Saturday night, November 28, 2020, “Iron Mike Tyson,” age 54 and Roy Jones Jr., age 51, each got back in the ring for an exhibition fight. Both men are “past their prime,” but each showed grit, determination and they still packed a powerful punch.
I was inspired, as well as reminded, that we are never too old to stay out of the ring of life.
We may be past our prime, there may be men or women “better,” smarter, faster, wealthier, fashionable, and more entrepreneurial. But, we can all get back in the ring. Everyone plays a role and everyone can add value to someone else’s life.
There are people that we come in contact with everyday that need what we have to offer. Just look around and you will quickly see a very needy and broken world before your eyes. You do have what it takes. You are stronger than you think you are. You can make the world a better place by simply focusing on one person you come into contact with today.
You change the world by investing in people, one person at a time. It’s not always easy and sometimes it can get messy, but it is of infinite value when you invest in someone else. Especially now, with Covid-19 and the related isolation and shutdowns, people are hurting. The political landscape is dividing people, friends and even families.
I am not pointing fingers or placing blame, because there is enough of that to go around. What I am doing is reminding. Reminding us that we are all here on earth a very short period of time and there is a lot we can be doing to be a “cool sip of water” to people living in a desert of life right now.
Remember that a smile, a kind word, encouragement, all go a long way in these times.
It reminds me of a story King Solomon told his son many years ago when he said, “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”[1]
A honeycomb; I like that word picture. Our words can be like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul. Or they can be as bitter as wormwood and have the opposite affect. That too, is a good reminder. Our words have power and can affect people deeply.
A friend told me years ago to be like a velvet-covered brick. Be kind, be pleasant and speak the truth. No one is too old or too “over the hill” where they cannot get back in the ring and be a light in someone else’s darkness.
You do have what it takes. Get back in the ring. I’ll be there with you when the bell rings.
[1] Proverbs 16:24
