How Do You Show Up?

Mar 13

How Do You Show Up?

Eddie Miller

In pursuit of our goals, even in the day-to-day of life, we are faced with challenges. These challenges not only test us, but ultimately define our character and determine how we “show up.”

Show up?

As a kid growing up on a farm in the mid-west—cold winters—and living in a home with an outhouse, a home without running hot water or a wood stove for heat, for the majority of my childhood, I can tell you that I dreamed of the day life wouldn’t be so hard. I knew others weren’t living the same way. And at times, I didn’t want to show up. Those circumstances were not the ones I wanted.

Over the years, I have come to realize that challenge is part of the life experience. It doesn’t matter where you live or how much money you make, you will have to endure change, challenge and choice.

So, my question to you is this: How do you show up…?

…when you haven’t reached your expected the career goals, but instead struggle to keep your business going?
…when your relationships—with your partner, kids, family members, co-workers—are full of conflict and misunderstanding?
…when the economy takes a downward turn and you may lose your home?
…when you have put your health and fitness last and you’re faced with high blood pressure or a chronic illness?

Many of us who are faced with these challenges tend to have one common reaction: we run. We run from the situation, from our circumstances, from the ones we love, and, most importantly, we run from ourselves.

But it’s during these times that we have to learn to turn within to tap into our Source and discover what we are really made of.

Let me tell you about a friend of mine Chris Waddell. Ski racing was Chris’s first love, but that passion suddenly turned to tragedy when he broke his back in a ski accident at the age of 20. In an instant, he was paralyzed from the waist down.

Chris’s story is one of dreams, perseverance and a kind of personal inner magic he discovered through his loss. Barely two months after the accident, he returned to college and three days short of the accident’s one-year anniversary he started skiing in a mono-ski. Less than two years after learning to mono-ski, Chris qualified for the US Disabled Ski Team.

Let me say that again. He broke his back and wound up on a ski team.

That’s not the end of it. He soon became the first Paralympics’ finalist for the Sullivan Award—top amateur athlete in the country; became a World Champion in two sports—alpine skiing and wheelchair track, and won more Paralympics’ medals than any male skier in history—12 in all, including 5 gold medals.

Chris discovered an ability he had that surpassed his athletic skills. All because of one factor: he showed up. He showed up on that mountain that fateful day. And he showed up after he broke his back. In ways he never would have planned or imagined prior to his accident. Every time life has called Chris to step out onto the field of life, he has shown up ready to play full out.

So…“How do YOU show up?”

How? The key is to go within. That’s where we discover our strength, the solutions to the challenges we face, our next great idea and all that we need to reach our highest potential. UHL

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