“Great Companies are driven by something beyond money and success: a purpose rooted in core values.”
-Jim Collins-
As I was shoveling our driveway this morning I had plenty of time to ponder my reaction at having to shovel in the first place. The snow is cold, the shoveling requires effort I would have rather put some where else, on and on it goes. Yet, in light of the scripture that says, “Give thanks in all circumstances”, I made the conscious effort to put that verse into practice. I began giving thanks for my dad who put into practice “do everything without grumbling or complaining”. I rarely heard my dad complain about going to work or having to do tasks around the house. He may not have wanted to do them, but he put into practice, inspire not require, by being willing to do the task that needed to be done. I gave thanks for the many people God has put in my life who taught me to work smarter not harder. In many ways all these circumstances and people in my life were training the core of the person I am today. God through them was and is teaching me how best to allow him to work through me. My core is always being perfected until the day of Christ Jesus. As I shoveled I was reminded that I have four shadows who are being inspired and taught merely by my day to day reactions to life.
In TJE core is the first phase in any learning process. As I was shoveling I contemplated why core has to come before love of learning or scholar. I believe it’s because core is necessary to be able to emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually be able to handle love of learning and scholar.
Core is where I ask myself a set of questions:
Do I believe in God?
What does God say about how I am to live?
How do I view myself in light of who God says I am?
What are my beliefs?
What is my character?
What positive habits do I want?
What are my strengths and weaknesses?
Do I persevere, endure, and have grit?
My answer to these questions are important, because they are how I am going to base my view of myself
and the world around me. It is how I am going to function with family, friends, and business relationships. The answer to these questions matter if I am going to keep going even when life gets rough and bumpy. Understanding whether I am an introvert, extrovert, or a combination is important if I am going to be able to take care of myself socially. Believing the truth of how God sees me is important if I am going to embrace the christ in me and allow christ to work through me. I cannot be spiritually or emotionally mature to handle disappointment, mistakes, hurt, and any other aspect of life if I do not know who I am, who’s I am, and how that affects my ability to get up and keep going. I will continually look to earthly fixes for love, acceptance, affirmations, and I will continually be disappointed. When I understand and can fully walk with confidence that I am who God says I am, then I can be emotionally and spiritually mature to handle the on goings of life around me.
Core is the support system for a structure be it a body, building, or the thing from which beliefs and character are started from. Core is where the foundation for perseverance, endurance, grit, and tenacity are learned.
I was thinking of core, love of learning, and scholar phase in light of becoming entrepreneurs. As a new business we are developing our core. We are branding our business through logos, words, and services. Then praying for direction and guidance through the love of learning phase. Seeking the clients we desired to work with the most. Discovering that working with local businesses is a passion for both of us. Entering scholar phase when we find the place in our business that we love the most.
I have discovered that it is in the core phase where I learn who I can count on, who my cheerleaders are, and seek out professional mentors. All within keeping in mind and never letting go of who I am in Christ. Succeed or fail the core supports and encourages me through mistakes, failure, and life’s belly flops.
Core keeps me humble. It reminds me of where I came from and that it is Christ through me working, speaking, and acting. Core allows me to seek new direction, wisdom, and to get up after a belly flop.
Without a solid core I end up running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I struggle to find and keep direction. When I belly flop instead of seeing it as an opportunity I tend to settle into a deep despair and depression. A dark place that is hard rise out of and begin to see the light again.
When I belly flop, make a mistake, and outright fail my core is what will stabilize me, help me make decisions based on fact, reality, and hope. It is where I make the distinction between failing and being a failure and making a mistake and being a mistake. A healthy core is where I know and grasp that I am brave, strong, and lovable. It helps me to get out of bed, continue taking baby steps, and going forward.
Core is something I will continue working on throughout my life. I want to become stronger, braver, and more confident. Why do I care about my core? I see my kids struggling, being mouthy, giving attitude, and I’m going to be honest with you. Most of the time they get it from me. It’s odd how my view of myself becomes the view my kids believe about themselves. I want them to develop their own core and their own relationship with Jesus. When our core is healthy we are able to garden our kids through their ups and down. As their parents we are able to allow them to be an introvert or an extrovert, love music, sports, or outdoor adventures. We are free to let our kids be themselves. It also allows us to set our kids free from being perfect, they have permission to fail, and they know with confidence we will be there to help figure out the pieces. Our kids are set free when they know they do not have to live up to the perfect standards we set for them. Standards that come from the healthy or unhealthy core of the adults around them.
I want to be the adult that sets my kids free. I want to give them the beautiful treasure and confidence to attempt great big things in this world. I want them to believe and know that Christ in them is doing and will continue to do great things through them. They are more than able and more than conquers. Healing my core, working on my life, heals and sets the rest of the world free from jumping through my hoops. A healthy core sets us free.