Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Your Edge of Glory... Is Hanging on a Moment of Truth


Susy and I are camping out at the Hampton Inn this week while I finish up some work on California's Central Coast. We are both naturally early risers and our morning routine is pretty set whether we are at home or on the road. I make the coffee while she does make up, we grab some breakfast, read our Bible together, head to the gym for exercise, then get into our day. Yesterday morning was pretty cool because the Hampton breakfast guy had opera on as I hit the room. I'm not a big opera fan but this was pretty inspiring music to mix with our coffees.

When we came back for breakfast the music had switched up. They were playing an anthem being sung by Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. You may know her by the stage name "Lady Gaga". Not that we agree with all the messages she sends, but Susy and I kind of like Lady Gaga. We like her voice, her music, and I guess there's something endearing about her stage presence, costuming, and overall schtick. If you read up on her in Wikipedia, you find she has a pretty rich strengths story. I'm sure I'll write on that down the road.

What caught my attention this morning was a single line in her hit song "Edge of Glory". The lyrics boom out "I'm on the edge of glory, hanging on a moment of truth". I couldn't get the song out my mind all day. From a strengths perspective it just resonated with me.

I see so many people wired and created to fulfill a unique role and destiny. And their fulfillment of that destiny is hooked up to having a moment of truth. To put it another way, finding the role that fits them is connected to their understanding of a host of deceptive messages coming from a variety of sources. These deceptions can come from peers, parents, pastors, or the culture at large.

Marcus Buckingham has focused on 3 of these deceptions he calls myths. You can read about them in his books Go, Put Your Strengths to Work and The Truth About You. They are highlighted in his video series Trombone Player Wanted. I'd like to discuss the 3 he presents and add a few more.

I believe you are on the edge of glory. You are so close to stepping into that special place crafted uniquely with your unique traits and talents in mind. So what's stopping you? What's holding you back. Let's take a look at a few possibilities.
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