"To Be An Expert, All You Need...

is 50 miles and a briefcase."  Another way I have heard this expressed is "You can't be a traveling preacher in your own town."  What great life lesson is in this?  Well there are several that Dad taught me using this line, but one had the biggest impact.  The lesson is that sometimes you need someone else with 50 miles and a briefcase to express your message for you.  What I mean by this is: at times, although the message might be meaningful, timely, and accurate, we just may be the wrong messenger.  On these occasions, we must set our pride aside and find the traveling preacher to deliver it for us.

For example: Growing up there were several things that I needed to here - as is true with any young person.  However, I often resisted the important lessons that my parents were desperately trying to convey.  Dad always sought ways for me to get the information that was important to my development by setting aside himself, and seeking another coach for me.  Whether is was one of my uncles that he knew I respected, a family friend, or a teacher, he would seek them out to convey any particular lesson of adulthood.  Please understand, I truly believe he never told any of these people what to say, but simply opened up the opportunity for people that both of us liked, trusted and respected.  He simply put me in touch with people he was certain would give me the best advice and information; people that truly cared for me.

The idea of finding someone to convey the message you want to deliver is an important one, but the real value I have taken away is the importance of truth being bigger than the individual.  If it is so important for the message to be heard, then the best person to deliver it is the one who will be listened too; it's never about being the exalted messenger.