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By: Jamie Collins
A few months ago, Chris, Gavin, and I found ourselves walking into Bankers Life Fieldhouse in busy downtown Indianapolis. It was playoff game 6; our beloved Pacers versus the team’s greatest arch rival, the New York Knicks. I was excited to be there. Not real sure if the experience would deliver on the promises professed by my dynamic duo; both told me how exhilarating game 3 had been in my absence. Sitting in the seats of that sold out stadium, little did I know I would soon become a spectator to not only one heck of a playoff game, but what would later turn out to be a ridiculously important life lesson.
With about 6 minutes left in the game, things became crucial. The Pacers needed to actively rebound the ball, and start making their attempted baskets to put some points on the scoreboard. Hope was fading fast. Silence fell upon the crowd. We were all on our feet; the stadium basked with the golden glow of concerned fans. We knew this was a live or die moment for the team; the final opportunity for defeat or greatness. The room quickly became immersed in a quiet tension that slowly enveloped each of us. Would we win or lose? Would they step up and be great? Would they fail? What would happen next?
I’ll never forget the moment Lance Stephenson first took that orange and black stitched leather ball into his hands in that pivotal moment. Striding across the court he came, dribbling across it in a moment of greatness, swishing that orange ball into the white netting above him, and reminding us all of something really important – possibility. He reminded us of what was possible.
In that moment, I saw something I’ll never forget. What I saw was an ambient fire radiating from his warm, brown eyes. The fierce determination behind his gaze began to soothe the quiet tension we felt. Not a person in the room could deny what Lance was destined for in that moment – it was greatness. Whether the team won or lost on that day, in that game, in that moment, he was laying it all on the line. In a matter of a nanosecond, the momentum of an entire stadium packed full of people had shifted. And it had shifted because of one person. One person who quickly lit the spirit of another; spreading to a few more teammates, then half of the team, then the entire team, and quickly ascended throughout an entire stadium of fans. There we stood, wondering if he would make it happen. The energy filling the room was undeniable. It was transcendent. It was tangible. It was real.
In a matter of three seconds, the power of a single person standing in a room, with a fire blazing behind his determined eyes had uplifted an entire stadium of 20,000 people.
You may find yourself wondering how a playoff basketball game could lead a person to reawaken to a major life lesson. I would be asking the same thing if I wasn’t the one writing this post.
Following that experience, I found myself contemplating how one person can truly uplift an entire room of people. It’s true. We’ve felt that major moment of greatness. We’ve watched another person ascend into glory before us. We’ve had the fire, witnessed the fire, heard, read about or wished for the fire; the one radiating from behind a determined person’s gaze. We’ve tasted the glorious exhilaration of a moment like that. We’ve had a person take us from a quiet moment where we stood in a room, as he or she transformed the air around us into a sweltering, powerful, uplifting current, making us want to become a more fully-inspired version of the person we were in that same room, just moments prior. We’ve wished for a million more moments just like it.
Maybe you found that moment at home, in church, during a motivational seminar, as you watched someone in your life accept an award, during an athletic event, a moving tribute, at a meeting, or perhaps even during the most unassuming of places, during an informal meeting with one or two other people who made you want to seize your own greatness. I’m talking about a pivotal type of encounter where someone grabs you by the virtual shirt collar, and stirs your soul. It’s as though you have transcended what was just moments prior, an ordinary room.
Perhaps this moment occurred as you chatted with an inspiring colleague, were on the receiving end of an awe inspiring rally speech, swooped in Olivia Pope style to give your best portrayal for a leading actress role as “the closer” in a pivotal moment at work or as you watched your young son (or daughter) harness his own ambition, and for a moment, a fleeting second in time, you witnessed the power of watching another human being harnessing a moment of greatness with a flicker of ambition burning brightly behind his eyes; an ember of hope to serve as a reminder of what is possible. A deep, soul-searching moment of greatness that takes your soul to a place so high, nothing can touch it. Those are the kind of moments of which I speak; the kind that Lance reminded me of on that day.
After bearing witness to a moment like that, this is what I know: We must be far more mindful of the room in which we find ourselves standing, and the company we keep within it.
Life is hard. Setbacks are inevitable. Inspiration is waning. There are some days I feel so inspirationally uplifted that a tsunami couldn’t rain out my inner flame, and others when I swear to you, how I managed to even make it from my bed, to my vehicle, and into to my office fully-clothed and partially-sane is nothing short of a divine miracle.
My goal is to be inspired every day. I want to remain steadfast, and focused. I want to feel motivated, happy, fiercely talented, and ambitiously driven all the days of my life. I want to seize the greatness, harness it, and bring it forth into the world. Most importantly, I want to be certain of where I’m headed, and with whom. I believe you probably feel the same way.
You want to know what gets in the way of that?
Life…that’s what.
Some days, it doesn’t feel like we have much choice on the type of day we’ll have. Our carefully crafted plans for a life of inspired dwelling falls into the ditch of the damned, due to people, conditions or situations beyond our control. Perhaps a boss, a colleague, an illness, a setback, a detour, a mounting frustration, that tedious last minute project, the unexpected call from one’s spouse, parent or school…or a moment when some other “thing” arising from that list consisting of about a million other things somehow manages to snuff your torch.
And the flame goes out.
Or perhaps it is aglow, but barely.
What you need to know is this: We are the keepers of our own flame. We make choices each day that impact how brightly it burns, if it burns at all. Do you know what we can control?
The room we stand in.
The company we keep.
It’s a choice. One we make day after day, whether it’s consciously or by default. One we need to acknowledge, and own.
What I’m here today to ask you is this:
What room do you find yourself standing in?
What’s the energy like?
Is it uplifting?
Does it make you want to be a better person?
Can you feel the excitement, ambition, and that inner spark of greatness?
If not, find a new room.
Look at the people with whom you surround yourself.
What are they like?
Are they ambitious, industrious, motivated, happy, and inspired?
Do they make you feel that way, too?
Do they inspire you to become a better person?
Do they light your fire to be better, do better, and seek out what is possible?
If not, it’s time to find new people.
We must be fully-cognizant of the room in which we choose to stand, and the people we allow to stand alongside us in it. There is no better time than this moment to rediscover that small flicker that once emanated from your eyes. Perhaps the time has come to take that small ember still glowing deep within, but destined for so much more, and to put it into an environment where it can blaze into the true greatness it is intended to become. A time and place where you will transcend a moment. It will be tangible. And real. And amazing.
You make that choice. Again, I ask you:
What room do you currently find yourself standing in?
How do the people around you make you feel?
(Think about that for a moment).
More importantly, is that okay?
You have a choice.
Choose your room.
Choose your people.
Choose your future.
Feed that flame.
Set yourself up for greatness, align yourself with people who inspire you, and become that pivotal person others can spot across a crowded room, filled with 20,000 people, in a moment when others need to know what is possible. A moment you will be the one to show them. A moment you will rise to your own potential, and into greatness. They’ll spot you from that inner glow sparkling out into the world, just past that bright fire in your eyes.
Choose wisely. Burn brightly. Embrace your greatness.
Awaken the flame within.
_____
“You must constantly ask yourself these questions: Who am I around? What are they doing to me? What have they got me reading? What have they got me saying? Where do they have me going? What do they have me thinking? And most important, what do they have me becoming? Then ask yourself the big question: Is that okay? Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.” – Jim Rohn
One person can make a difference. In fact, it’s not only possible for one person to make a difference, it’s essential that one person makes a difference. And believe it or not, that person is you. – Bob Riley
_____
Feeling inspired? Re-evaluating your room(s) and people? Share this post! Leave a comment.
Jamie:
Your posts have inspired me in the past, but this one prompted me to write. I’m utterly amazed how you were able to take a single life moment and create such a beautiful and uplifting post. Your talent and zest for life shine through in your writing. We can all benefit from your beautiful message.
Sincerely,
Melinda Cotton
Melinda, Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment on this post. I admit it, I’m a feedback junkie, so hearing your kind words truly inspires me! I look forward to seeing you “around” TPS!
~ Jamie
May your flame continue to burn brightly and ignite the flames of others… thank you
Wishing you the same, Debbie!
~ Jamie
Wow, Jamie. You know that I’m an admirer of your talent. I write and share inspiration with TPS and other LinkedIn discussion forums, but, I’ve never written anything so inspiring. I think this is my VERY favorite one of yours. I agree with Melinda. How you take a life moment at a basketball game and create this uplifting post is beyond me. This is THE article that you print and keep by your desk to remind you to keep that “fire in your belly”. The writers of “Working Girl” talked about the “fire in your belly” as a way to keep moving forward at work, play, and in life. Thank you, Jamie, for another heartwarming post.
Thank you so much, Barbara! I’m so happy to hear this was one of your favorite pieces that I’ve written to date. Wow…right back at ya. You made my day!
So true. Well said, and something I definitely needed to hear today. Thank you Jamie!
Glad you enjoyed it, Jan. 🙂
Very motivational. Thank you Jamie.
You are welcome, Joanne. It’s great to see you “around” TPS!
BOOM BABY!!! Slam dunk, Jamie!
Too funny, 120. You had me chuckling aloud when I read your comment. I appreciate the humorously kind commentary!
Jamie – Seriously, I’ve said it before and I’m going to say it again. You NEED to write a book. You NEED to share your gift with as many people as possible. Your creativity with words is truly a gift that must be shared. Each chapter could be an inspirational short story like this one. Amazing content, my friend. I am going to share this with everyone I know on every platform I use. I am so proud to call you my friend. You remain a good human. Ames
Amy, There aren’t enough words in the English language to thank you for all of your support, inspiration, and friendship since the day we met. You are someone I count among my dearest friends, even if you are many, many states away! Thank you for inspiring me. And helping me. And encouraging me. And about a thousand other things!
(And for the record, our text exchange on Saturday has a new post swirling around in my head. But I’m not gonna issue a “spoiler” alert, so I’ll send you the link once it’s up!)
Loved this early morning read – just what the doctor ordered to change a person’s way of thinking and doing! Thank you!!
So glad you enjoyed it, Jackie!
Jamie! I second Amy’s post. You are a gifted writer! Thank you for being my daily inspirations.
Sincerely,
Mariana
Thank YOU for being in my “field of five” legal friends, Mariana!
Great article Jamie! Thank you for sharing it and hopefully inspiring the readers. I know I truly enjoyed it. It definitely made me re-think and re re-evaulate my “room”. 🙂
Yvette, Here’s to wishing you an inspiring room filled with fascinatingly wonderful people! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
Great article and timely inspiration for me as I evaluate where I am at in life on my birthday!
Happy belated birthday, Stephanie! Thanks for swinging by on your big day.
I am retyping the last several lines, printing them, and posting them to the bulletin board in my office! Thanks for a great inspirational story!
Margaret, I am honored. Thank you for sharing that. It makes my day (…perhaps even my week)!
Jamie, thank you. Your inspiration brought back the internal need to surround myself with positive people and positive influences so I can spread my enthusiasm for life. You are amazing!
Sharon, I’m so happy to hear that! Wishing you all the best as you find your room(s) and people.
Jamie, this is amazing. Thank you so much.
I appreciate the kind words, TW. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment.
Wow, Jamie. What a great post! Inspiring, hearty, well written. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. This post will help a lot of people – and some in profound ways beyond your hope or expectation.
GREAT JOB!
Chance, It’s so great to see you on TPS! I truly appreciate your kind words. It means a lot coming from an incredibly talented writer, such as yourself. Thank you.
For anyone reading this, if you’ve never visited Chance’s inspirational blog, check it out: http://www.chancescoggins.com.
Hello Jaime, your post was very powerful! It was inspiring to read. It was a pleasure to read something so uplifting.
Thank you for the kind words regarding my post, Leftist. Much appreciated.
Jamie,
I’m sitting here, a little embarrassed to admit,with tears on my face, reading another one of your soul searching, heart wrenching, go-for-the-jugular masterpieces that make me feel like it was written just for me–pretty darn timely too!! I went back and looked at my first email to you. Almost exactly a year and a half ago I emailed you about how the power and beauty of your writing had inspired my life in such a huge way, and it was just a matter of time before your writing had an appointment with greatness. I believe that even more today. Just make sure to save me an autographed copy of that book–that’s all I’m saying!! ❤
Carmen, I want you to know that a lot of the things you’ve told me over the past year and a half have truly changed me for the better, both, as a person and a writer. Thank you for entering my life and adding some inspirational glitter! I count you among my friends. Thank you for your unwavering support.
My mother always said: Tell me who you spend time with and I will tell you who you are. I heard that one a lot – especially as a teenager! But it is true. Another expression that fits: Marry up. Yeah I know – but the point is – always strive to be among those who challenge you.
Jamie, I third everyone’s vote. Where do you pull this stuff from???? This was a great one. All (articles) are great, but this one, had me rushing to the next word, next sentence – you had me Lillian Helman my friend – you had me!
You mom was one smart lady, Karen – but I know I don’t have to tell YOU that! You already know it to be true. Thank you for the incredibly kind comparison to the fabulous Lillian Helman. Hoping to one day give her a run for her money!
An absolutely gorgeous piece!
Thank you kindly, Marcia.
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Good Morning Jamie!
I really enjoyed reading this! What a wonderful way to start my day. Yes Choices, and only I can make them. Excellent article. Please keep writing!
Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, Carmen. I appreciate it. And I promise to keep writing…inspiration willing!
Because of the continuous comments by everyone above, Jamie’s inspiring story has come across my inbox numerous times. Today I read it again for the third time. Each time I read it I shine a little brighter. But this time, it came at a particularly difficult moment, and thankfully I am not getting knocked off my feet. You never know where you will find powerful mojo! Thanks Jamie, once again.
Karyn, Wow. “Each time I read it I shine a little brighter.” There really isn’t anything a person could say to make a writer “shine a little brighter,” too! I truly appreciate you sharing that with me.
Amazing post. So much to ponder. Truly thought-provoking and inspiring. Thank you!!
Thank you for your kind comment, Sue. Much appreciated.
Wow, that one gave me goosebumps ( I hope you and everyone else understands that). Your writing is amazing. Your mind even more so. Definitely so much to ponder as Sue said. I will be checking my rooms (and doing more than a hotel clean to reference another recent post.) Thanks, Jamie. Great advice and very inspiring.
I’m a little late getting back around on this one, but thank you so much, Kim. I truly appreciate you taking the time to share your incredibly inspiring feedback with me.
(And you made me smirk with the reference to the “hotel clean.” ha ha. Me + our living room = nightly.)