What matters to me is investing in others, myself, and my faith.

Earlier this week my daughter asked me if I had a favorite motivational speaker or a favorite speech that was inspiring.  I quickly replied, yes!  I remembered the speech perfectly, but I had to do a Google search for the name of the speaker.  This motivational speaker was at the top of the search, Father Greg Boyle, “I was taught everything of value by gang members.”  

If you have not yet listened to the speech, it will take 5 minutes of your time.  This speech embodies the true meaning of investing in others, yourself, and your faith.  It is inspirational and an excellent example of opening one’s heart to love… loving others, loving yourself, and fostering hope. 

Others

As Father Greg Boyle walked around the city with a gang member, he saw how people were scared and moved away not knowing the true characteristics of the person.  Investing in others requires us to dig deeper to find the truth behind all the stereotypes.  It means we start believing in others, loving them for who they are, and being open to working with people who don’t fit our definition of the “norm”. 

Sometimes we might feel a bit uncomfortable reaching out to others who are not in our circle of influence.  As we approach others with love, doors open, opportunities become abundant, and the value of investing in others becomes addicting.   

Yourself

One of several amazing moments in this speech is when the gang member realizes that the audience loves him and that it is time that he starts loving himself too!  We may not be proud of everything we have done, but it is critical that we are able to forgive ourselves and love ourselves for who we are and who we will become.  As we forgive ourselves also ask for forgiveness from Jesus. 

Faith

Through faith there is hope.  As we help others we strengthen ourselves, grow in our faith, and radiate love and hope.  Father Boyle spoke of hope.  He spoke on how showing others love can strengthen hope for us all. 

Sometimes we have to distance ourselves from toxic people, but we can continue to invest in them and love them from a distance through prayer.  I choose to focus on faith rather than anger, anxiety, disappointment, grief, food, alcohol, or drugs.  

My faith continually pulls me away from feeling broken and guides me toward choosing love. Investing in my faith allows me an abundance of love and forgiveness. Without love and forgiveness I would be feeling anger, anxiety, and disappointment, I would be grieving and relying on “crutches” to get me through the day. 

Father Boyle concluded, … “Strangers returned him to himself and they were returned to themselves.  Stop throwing people away… the poor, the powerless, make their voices heard” 

My choice is to invest in hope, love, and faith in Jesus.  

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