THE SHAMELESS PURSUIT OF THE LEVELED PLAYING FIELD (C) 2014 by Wayne Dan Lewis, Sr.

The quest for a leveled-playing field is fruitless, especially once we are born.  Many of us, should be shamed to ask that the playing field in our various pursuits be equaled out.  The equality begins and ends the moment we are born, and after that, everyone's playing field is adjusted, for cause(s).   What cause(s)? Let's keep it real and conclude that nature herself is the biggest orchestrator of the unleveled playing field in our lives:  Here are some ways our playing fields are unleveled:   skin color, hair color, hair length, eye color.  The causes are beauty, and attractiveness, too tall or too short.  The causes are sickness or health; The causes of income; wealth; which side of the tracks we were born on, or what side of the family we come from.  There is always a cause for an unleveled playing field in our lives.  And as much as we would like for the playing field to be leveled, or hope for an equal shot at life, we know that from birth, we need to be in the ready-set-go mode before that proverbial starter-pistol (called birth) has been fired.  After that, life has a way of taking the unleveled playing field that so many of us may face day in and day out, and turn it totally upside down.

Many of us are handicapped for so many of the causes we mentioned above, that by the time we realize we are in a race for greatness, we are hoping that someone will give us a chance to catch up.  Keeping it real:  it aint gon’ happen.  Who knows that if Mario Andretti,  Race Car Champion, ever slowed his car down to let the others catch up on the Indianapolis Speedway, or in the NASCAR races?  Who knows that if Muhammed Ali (Professional Boxer) threw a few less punches for his opponents Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, or George Foreman,  just so he could not become the Heavyweight Champion of the World?  Who knows if Lebron James, Basketball great,  pulled back a few shots of basketball just so the other team could catch up?  Or, who knows if Venus and Serena Williams (Tennis Champions) allowed a few good balls to get past them just so someone could catch up with them at Wimbledon?  Exactly!

The point is, from this point on in our lives, we need an unleveled playing field for those of us who aspire to be great at who we want to be.  We want the challenge of an unleveled-playing field.  We want our field to be wet and sloppy like the racetracks at Louisville’s Kentucky Derby; we want our field to have as many sand dunes like an 18-hole golf course, or whatever difficult surfaces it can be, so that we can take on life’s worst challenges, and then, when it is all said and done, we come out on top.  And the field that we would have played on,  it did not define us, it did not make us.  We defined ourselves.

Keeping it real, we have to convince ourselves that the unleveled playing field that so many of us perceive in our lives, is the greatest opportunity to overcome something that tests our ability to overcome adversities.  The greater the unlevel playing field in our lives, the greater we have the opportunity to be who we want to be.  So, each and everyday, we want to assess the playing field that is ours to run, ours to walk, ours to climb, or ours to knock down.  For everyone of us, every unleveled playing field is not a measure of inequality, but a testament to our greatness, for us to overcome the trials and tribulations that life has put before us. 

If we  continue using as an excuse, the unleveled playing field, as the reason for us not to get started on who we will eventually become, the fighting chance that we so often seek, becomes the crutch that we use to stand down, to wait on, or to hope for something great to happen in our lives.  Today, our unleveled playing field awaits us.  Or, we can sit around, and wait for someone else to level the playing field to make it easier for us.  Or worse yet, allow someone else to take on our unleveled playing field.  The choice is ours.

Disclaimer: Information provided here is deemed to be from reliable sources and not guaranteed.  No information provided here should be considered as legal or professional advice.

The Shameless Pursuit of the Leveled Playing Field © 2014 by Wayne Dan Lewis, Sr.

The Coveted Commandment: Thou Shalt Build Wealth © 2014 by Wayne Dan Lewis, Sr.

The Coveted Commandment: ROCKS BRICKS AND STICKS (C) 2014 by Wayne Dan Lewis, Sr.

Gifts for the Graduating Class of 2014

© 2014 by Wayne Dan Lewis, Sr.

We are in the middle of graduation season. Many of our graduates are going to be sent well-wishes. While we all wish them well, dare we challenge them in the gifts that we give them? I am sure that there are graduates who will receive hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in cash and gifts. Many of those gifts may include cars, jewelry, houses, saving bonds, CD’s, electronics and mementoes from parents, grandparents and friends. But, I would hope that if there were a special set of gifts we might consider, it would be either a rock, a brick or a stick. If just one of these were given, it would be great, but all three would be phenomenally great for any graduate of the Class of 2014.

Why would we give our new grad so basic a set of presents as a rock, a brick or a stick? Surely, it would pale in comparison to jewelry, electronics and no doubt, a NEEEEEW KARRRRR! (In my game show announcer’s voice). These are the expectations, and perhaps surprises that many of our graduates would be only too proud to claim from under the graduation tree, if it were. A rock, brick or stick, would definitely bring a surprised look, a false sense of appreciation, and a quick look of wonderment as to whether the giver was playing a joke, or had suffered a sudden case of dementia. None of these are to be ruled out, but nevertheless, it would be a gift, purposeful, but with a letter. What would that letter say?
It would probably say something to this effect:

Dearest graduate of 2014.
Please except this gift (rock, brick or stick) with my best wishes. I know that you will most likely receive far more desirable gifts, and that this one will hardly compare. But as you push this gift aside, note too that each of the gifts that you will receive, will, subsequently, be pushed aside as well. They will bring you momentary joy, and use in the manner in which you should be accustomed. But for a small amount of time their value will continue to decrease, and will eventually go out of style. You will most likely replace any number of your gifts with newer versions, perhaps more expensive models, for which you are entitled to do and richly deserve. This gift however, (rock, brick or stick), has no financial, or any real value. If you were to put it in your attic, or throw it in the back yard, it will still be a rock , stick or brick. The rock and brick will hold its shape for some years to come. The stick, it may become brittle if left in the weather for the elements to eat away at it. You may have to treat it with some type of protective paint. But here is the pitch, Graduate of the Class of 2014:

A rock lies on the bottom of many rivers. When water passes over the rocks, the water that passes over them becomes purified, and makes the water cleaner to drink. The brick can be used with other bricks to form foundations for homes, large buildings, or even make a fireplace. The stick can be used to make firewood, or used as a weapon to fight off wild animals. Or, the stick can be used to build a lean-to joined by leaves and strong vines while in the wild. As you graduate, know that whether it was a rock, brick or stick, each played a tremendous role in building your past. You may take for granted the fact that rocks are used in cement to make driveways and build roads, but they aren’t going anywhere for the foreseeable future. You may take for granted that bricks help to hold up some of the tallest buildings, but they do their jobs very well, and will continue to be a part of our lives. As for sticks, their value comes in at where we want them to. We can make a slingshot, a bow and arrow, or even a musical instrument. If it is sturdy enough, it may even make a good shovel, or can be whittled down to a spear, or small shovel. Please use wisely.
Sign XXXX.

Whatever you do with your gift is up to you. But know that it is not the thought that counts from the giver, but the thought that counts by the recipient. I don’t believe that many people will spend hours looking for a rock, brick or stick to give to today’s graduates. The average graduate would probably be highly insulted, even if they didn’t say so. But if they are the noble graduates that we know them to be, they will very easily look past the oddity of the gift, and see the practicality, and the potential value of either the rock, the brick or the stick.

The practicality of any or all of the gifts that would be a rock, brick or stick maybe lost on some graduates, if only for a moment. But it takes a strong mind to look past a gift that is not the usual, the expected, or the normal. Yes, cash is still the best gift of all, along with jewelry, clothes, a car or even a house. But let us not lose sight of why we want our graduates to succeed. We want them to succeed because they are now prepared to look past what is, and they are able to see what can be. To the average person, the rock, the brick or the stick is just a rock, brick or stick. To the outstanding achiever that we believe that every graduate is, the rock is the Empire State Building, the brick is the masonry for every home built in a new subdivision. As for the stick, it is that big piece of wood being pile driven deep into the earth to build new schools to educate our youth, or new factories to employ those of our respective communities. Seeing what can be is the true test for our graduates. And it is a test that they will surely pass, with flying colors.

To the graduating class of 2014, please accept your rock, your brick or your stick with all of the sincerest of appreciation and excitement that you can muster. See this moment for what it truly is, your turning point from student to practitioner. From observationist to applicationist. From questioner of facts to questioner of what can be. Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2014, and enjoy all of your gifts.

Disclaimer: The Coveted Commandment © 2014 by Wayne Dan Lewis, Sr. Information provided here is deemed to be from reliable sources, but not guaranteed. If your group would like to have Wayne Lewis speak to them, email wdlewis8088@gmail.com or call 512-786-7959. Consult with your respective professional for advice.