A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to see our local community theater version of Les Miserables and it was outstanding.
If you’re not familiar with the play or movie it is a story filled with examples of betrayal, grace and redemption.
As I watched it this time I was struck by something else. You find out very early on that the lead character, Jean Valjean, has spent some time incarcerated. When he is released he remains a marked man both with his prisoner number tattooed on his chest and by a slip of paper that he must carry around to show, if asked, to verify his past.
As I watched I began to realize that not only was Valjean marked on the outside by the tattoo and the slip of paper but an even bigger mark was made on him internally. At one point, he tears up the slip of paper in an effort to be rid of the mark but he continues to be haunted by his past even though one of the marks is gone.
This made me think of some of the marks I have imposed on myself of which I wrestle to let go.
When I was in junior high a teacher made a remark to me about my singing. In retrospect, it wasn’t even about my singing but more about my indecision about being part of a choir. However, I took it and internalized it as a slam on the quality of my voice. Even today if I am asked to sing I literally get a feeling internally that makes me cringe at the thought of singing in a public place. I am marked by the comment almost fifty years later. To be honest I don’t even really know if I have any kind of a voice or not.
Throughout my life I have also been a great starter and a lousy finisher. Whether it’s a project or reading a book or writing a book I get greatly enthused and then lose interest after a while. I often refer to myself as a “shiny objects guy.” If something new and shiny goes by while I’m working on something I’ll follow it. I have internally marked myself this way and often find myself even unwilling to start something because internally I “know” I won’t finish it. I’m a work in progress.
There are other marks on my life that I’m sure you will hear about another time.
What have you been marked by in your life? What would you have to courageously do to begin to erase the mark permanently? Whom can you talk to about your marks who can help you begin to overcome them? Is there something you need to forgive yourself for that is holding you back?
It’s time to create some new marks in your life!
2 Corinthians 5:17-18
Have a STRONG and COURAGEOUS day!
Do you need a speaker for an upcoming event? I’d love to be that guy. You can reach me at dave@cultivatecourage.com or 952-200-7499.
You can now buy the book “Cultivate Courage” on Amazon! https://amzn.to/2O9FwH7
Thanks brother! What a wonderful message that we ALL need to hear. I love the example of Les Miserables….I love that movie/play! I see this true at play in my office literally ALL THE TIME! Bless you & keep spreading the message of courage!
Thanks, Anthony! As I become more aware of my marks I do try to be courageous and work through them. I’m sure that you have been very helpful in working with people to be courageous in spite of their marks, Anthony!
I also am a starter and not a finisher, however, I think a bit of that is because I’ve also been called a perfectionist (not by me, but a few other people I know). That said, I would start something and if I made a mistake (in my eyes only) I would stop. I have to push through that feeling of if something isn’t ‘exactly’ as I think it should be, to either fix it, or continue on because chances are someone might not even notice a small flaw. The key is knowing that I do this, recognize it, acknowledge it, and push myself over that little flaw and keep on until finished. Are you a perfectionist Dave?
Thank you for reading and commenting, Brenda. I have never viewed myself as a perfectionist but in conversations around this topic I realize that may be a blind spot of mine that I am unwilling to acknowledge yet. I don’t think I find myself starting and quitting because of a mistake. I think it’s more because I lose interest. I’ll have to process this and think through it some more as the question is a valid one! Thanks!
Dave,
Difficult questions – and good questions! Thanks for the blog and the prompts.
Darren, thanks for taking the time to check out my blog! I appreciate your comments and always welcome your comments and feedback!