Quote of the Week

 

“Everyone has a purpose in life…a unique gift or special talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of our own spirit, which is the ultimate goal of goals.”

– Deepak Chopra MD, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success

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5 Minute Story

 

Have you ever met your Hero? Someone you idolised since childhood? How did you feel?

 

Ever wanted something SO badly that you are riddled with excitement, frozen with terror, speechless from brain-fear- freeze? Keep all that in mind as you read on…

 

Friday last week I was privileged to be witness at a very unexpected turn of events.

 

The love of my life had come over a little early so he could help me change some light globes and as he came down off the ladder I kissed him and squeezed his hand and thanked him for his help.

 

We then headed out to see one of his childhood heroes, Paul Jones, perform with other members of Manfred Mann as they performed in The Manfreds 50th Anniversary Tour.

 

You may remember songs like Pretty Flamingo, The Mighty Quinn, Build me up Buttercup and their worldwide No. 1 hit Do Wah Diddy.

 

We found a restaurant close to the theatre well before the show so that we could relax and enjoy the meal and the anticipation.

 

As we were greeted and walking toward the table to be seat My Love turned around excited and whispered “It’s Him!” “Who?” I hushed as he craned to take another look. “It’s Paul Jones! THE Paul Jones. The lead. From The Manfreds! He’s sitting at that table over there.”

 

Looking across the table I realised he was glowing. With pure JOY.

 

I’d seen this before- after he met his only other hero, Michael Schumacher, at the Melbourne Formula 1 Grand Prix. Pure JOY.

 

As we read through the menu I could hear his brain working.

 

“Go to the bathroom, walk past his table and say ‘hi!’“, I suggested.

Unimaginative. Unhelpful.

 

The waiter returned, we ordered our meals and he left.

 

Looking around the restaurant and then at Mr Jones’ table ML commented, “No one knows who is. Those who are here for the show haven’t recognised him.”

 

My friend is the tall, strong, quietly spoken type. And respectful of others’ space. He was working out a way to speak with his Childhood Hero without disturbing his meal and attracting attention.

 

Then he remembered The Songs. He reached into his coat pocket to retrieve 2 pieces of A4 paper with a song printed on each. An hour earlier when he had picked me up he showed me the pages to display to the stage when Paul Jones asked the audience for requests. The last time he had seen The Manfreds in concert someone had suggested a song The Manfreds didn’t play so there were no more requests. The signs showed he had put thought and preparation into the song requests and also meant no shouting was required.

 

While holding the papers I could see the Joy mix with trepidation. He breathed deeply. And again. His eyes lit up and rose to his feet.

 

I could only see a little, and his back to me as he bent to his Heroes table. I then realised I would be attracting attention so went back to looking at the others in the restaurant as it began to fill more quickly now.

 

I pondered on the value of Being Present…something my friend does exceptionally well. Over the last 20 years I have admired him notice things other miss entirely. And tonight was a perfect example- 90% of the restaurant guests were there to see Paul Jones play and none had noticed he was there amongst them enjoying his meal.

 

A moment later ML was sitting opposite me, Mission Accomplished.

 

If what I had seen before was a glow, I was now sitting opposite a Sun. Pure radiance of ecstasy and Joy.

 

“What happened?” I asked. He was still awestruck. “What happened? How did you open?” and he explained. Paul Jones now had the songs for the request.

 

In the time we sat there just looking at each other smiling in wonder and disbelief I felt so grateful to Be Present for this moment, to bask in his intense happiness. I told him so. That he was a Hero to me in so many ways. And to DO that was awe inspiring.

 

He responded quietly with eyes twinkling, “Life rewards the Prepared.”

 

If he hadn’t created the signs Paul Jones wouldn’t have had proof of how much he appreciated his work. Nor would my friend have a legitimate way of interrupting his heroes meal.

 

“I thought the quote was ‘Life Rewards the Brave.’ “, said I.

 

We smiled together again. He had mustered the energy and the mindset with a clear goal in his vision and it helped him overcome his doubts to do this. Vision achieved.

 

So we agreed “Life Rewards the Prepared and Brave”. And smiled. Jaw aching smiles. The Best.

 

Just as we finished our meals a gentleman appeared at the table. We expected it to be a waiter.

 

As I looked up my eyebrows rose and I did what I could to stop my jaw dropping.

 

It was Paul Jones.

 

I looked across the table as My Love spoke with him. The intensity of his Presence and his Joy. His. Mine for him.

 

Paul Jones had graciously come over as he was leaving to thank ML for introducing himself and offering the requests. He gave one page back and explained why they couldn’t play that song that night and promised to play the other, asking his name and then asking for mine.

 

You guessed it…he dedicated the song by names “To the lovely couple I met in the restaurant tonight before the show…” Of course the song was for him.

 

I whispered in his ear and squeezed his hand “And You were a hero to me before we left home for changing the light globes! THIS makes you AMAZING. “

 

With a smile, he whispered back, “I do what I can to make you happy”.

This month’s 5 Minute Story is testament to Being Present so you can see the opportunities life has to offer. To Being Prepared when the opportunity presents itself. To creating a vision that you are committed to and love. Then the brain can create a strategy to make your vision a reality. And even with all this in place, you need to make a choice to step out of your doubts and fears and find the energy and mindset to stand up when the moment arises.

 

Now THAT is Living Life Passionately.

 

Below you’ll find other’s sharing their stories of Living Life Passionately to inspire you to do the same, moment by moment.

You have the choice. EnJOY!