Max Depree said “In the end, it is important to remember that we cannot become what we need to be, by remaining what we are.” I think many times we are focusing on the wrong things or even the wrong time frame. We have a tendency to focus on the present and how we are doing right now. How are we handling current situations, current responsibilities, current life pressures, and current demands on our lives. And if we have a passing grade on each of these fronts, we have a sense of wellbeing, a sense of comfortableness with our own state of affairs.
But what if we were to take Max’s statement seriously, …..we cannot become what we need to be…… and incorporate that into our thought processes. That statement has much more of a future focus, an expression of awareness that what we are capable of now will not serve us for what we need to be capable of in the future. It is acknowledging that while we may be comfortable with current status quo, today’s current status will not cut it for tomorrow. Tomorrow’s demands will require change from today. This takes a great amount of self-awareness.
I find that self-awareness is key to making the changes that are necessary for the future. Being self-aware of my own capabilities while being in tune with what the Lord has for me in the future coupled with a willingness to address the needed changes, is a recipe for growth and advancement. How can I know what to change if I am not aware of where I am currently and where I need to be in the future. Without being aware of where you are or where you need to change, you are stuck in the present and while the present may be very fulfilling today, if will not provide you with the satisfaction you need for tomorrow. Anything that has life is continually growing and changing. May the Lord give you the awareness of where you need to be tomorrow so that you will know what you need to change today!
D.O.V.E.