“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”
– Author unknown
Before you rise, you must reflect. That is what that quotation means, in part.
“Rise” is an action word, it is neither a suggestion nor an advice. It is a command, or preferably an instruction. To rise is an indication that a person is either in a state of depression, despondency, despair, discouragement, and or hopelessness.
Life often throws a lot of lemons – joblessness, homelessness, barrenness, financial difficulties, ill-health, marital problems, academic struggles, crime, abuse, neglect, rejection are few of life challenges people face. Whenever such happens, you shouldn’t throw in the towel and give up. Neither should you give in. You are expected to face the challenge head on, see it as an opportunity to grow, learn useful lessons and move ahead. As it is often said, “when life throws lemon at you, make a lemonade out of it.”
““Arise [from spiritual depression to a new life], shine [be radiant with the glory and brilliance of the LORD]; for your light has come, And the glory and brilliance of the LORD has risen upon you.”
Isaiah 60:1 AMP
All successful entrepreneurs have stories to tell of several setbacks they faced climbing the ladder to success. College professors did not attain academic scholarship playing monopoly games, they faced several setbacks. Any church leader, called to shepherd a mixed multitude must be courageous and strong to do so successfully. Need I mention the challenges of nation building? Life is not meant to be an easy ride but if you keep pushing, staying focused on your predetermined goals, you’ll hit the top.
Frida Owinga, a Nairobi based Business Coach came up with a formula for rising which I have since adopted as my mantra:
REFLECT + REFRESH + REVISE = RISE
To maintain a winning edge, you must constantly reflect on your current position, asking yourself several “why’s ” and seeking honest answers. Armed with honest answers, you need to refresh. Ask yourself questions like: “how did I get here? What lessons can I learn from this experience- whether good or painful, the lessons are valuable. Then, revise your strategies, either by learning new ones or discarding the old. From that position you are ready for action, which is to rise up to higher grounds!
Today is the last day in the month of May. It is a good day to reflect, refresh, revise so you can rise to the opportunities and challenges that will accompany the month of June!
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