Your Life Resume

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Life's good news is where you are now is where you will be three years from now. The bad news is where we are now is where we will be three years from now UNLESS something changes.

Many factors influence and drive an individual's satisfaction or need to change both personally and professionally. Living a balanced life for example can we honestly say that we are in control of life's demands within our mind, body and spirit? Can we affirm that we are focused, managing accomplishments, commitments or are the events of life - wanted and unwanted - managing us?

Image a vista of mountain tops surrounded by a body of tranquil crystal clear water. You breathe deeply, and feel a pull to move closer to the water's edge and bending down to catch a glimpse of your reflection you suddenly hear the still small voice of God asking, "What do you see?"

Surprised by the question you shrink away only to find yourself haunted by the Creator's question. Again, you bend down to look closely into the eyes of your reflection but find yourself struggling to answer the question 'what do you see? We all have or will experience this place of unknowing; unable to identify with our reflection. Wondering who and what we are all about, doubting our future, what we did or did not accomplish up to now.

If we believe and trust that life is a journey, that we are here as spiritual beings having a human experience, then we will create a resume of our life. Yes, you read correctly a resume of your life. Human Resource professionals describe a candidate's resume as a snap shot of what was experienced, where the experience took place, when did the experience happen and how skills developed because of the experience. Many books have been read and seminars attended to learn how to create the perfect resume that vividly captures a candidate's value, experience and skills. Yet, little time is spent on creating a life resume so we can respond to the question what do you see when you look into the eyes of your reflection.

The strategy behind a life resume is to remember to record your accomplishments, the skills and experiences you gleaned each day. So let's begin with Johnny Smith. As far back as Johnny could remember, he was told by family and friends how outgoing and friendly he was and although shy by nature, Johnny began to live what he heard and was voted 'most friendly student' in High School. After High School, Johnny decided to postpone college and obtained employment at the neighborhood Pharmacy. It was there that Johnny made the most of his outgoing, friendly demeanor and once again, Johnny was voted 'most valuable employee' by customers, peers and management. After two years, Johnny decided to continue his education and attend college. He hoped his work experience would compensate for his average High School grades and low SAT scores. He was excited when he received the first letter, then the second and third but disappointed to read, we are sorry to inform you but....

Trying hard to stay encouraged, Johnny prayed for guidance and was led to create a life resume after hearing the still small voice of God say, "If you believe your life is worth anything, it will be worth recording and sharing."

And write Johnny did. Daily updating his life resume, recording accomplishments, skills and experiences; encouraging co-workers, customers and management to do the same. October 1st, exceeded my service goal by 5%. October 2nd, topped yesterday's sales goal by 11%; October 3rd, applied to the another college building my tenacity skills, October 4th, volunteered to help Mrs. Handley with her garden. Day after day Johnny recorded, striving to beat yesterday's objectives. Celebrating with others who recorded their life resume, cheering on and encouraging those who struggled to recognize their self worth.

Then the day Johnny was waiting for, a possibility letter. Johnny was invited to meet with the Department Head of Enrollment at one of the top Universities in the Country. The good news spread like wildfire and customers, co-workers and management wrote letter after letter acknowledging and recognizing Johnny's superior attributes of team work, tenacity, helpfulness, and above all his positive attitude.

Johnny felt unsettled the day of his interview, and praying for guidance, and direction he heard the still small voice of God reminding him to re-read his life resume, October 27, exceeded, November 2, accomplished, December 1st recognized...etc., and, after a daunting interview, Mr. Jonas, the Department Head of Enrollment, sat back in his chair and smiled.

"Johnny," he said, "in all my years as a department head; I have not received so many letters of recommendation from ordinary people as I have received on your behalf. You must be an extraordinary person."

Sensing Johnny knew nothing of the letters, Mr. Jonas picked up a mail bag called Johnny and proceeded to empty the contents onto Johnny's lap. Startled and left speechless, Johnny bowed his head and gave thanks.

"So what's the message here Johnny? How did you manage to create so many fans?" asked Mr. Jonas.

Johnny smiled and thought they remembered, then replied, "I keep a life resume sir and encourage others to keep one also. I record and celebrate my accomplishments and the accomplishments of others every day. I record the skills and experiences gleaned each day so I never forget who I am or what I see when I look into the eyes of my reflection. I believe a life worth living, Mr. Jonas, is a life worth recording. I never want to wonder who and what I am all about, and if I do forget, all I have to do is read my life resume and I am reminded of my gifts, my self-worth and my values."

That was a special day for Johnny as he was accepted into the University. It was a special day for Mr. Jonas also as he sat down to re-write the ending of his commencement speech to the graduating class.

.......and always remember, to keep and to update your life resume, to recognize and celebrate your accomplishments so if and when you have the opportunity to look into the eyes of your reflection you will know who you are; and above all, never forget a life worth living is a life worth recording.