Are you one of those people looking for diamonds in faraway places?
I prefer to think of diamonds as elements of surprise and wonder, instead of something to just be worn. To say I have always liked diamonds and all it entails is an understatement. My fascination with these shiny rocks is partly due to the arduous transformation process it endures and partly because of its breathtaking beauty.
Acres of Diamonds is a simplistically enduring tale about diamonds written by Russell Conwell. However, this tale involves far more appreciation for the real valuable and precious things in our everyday life other than pretty jewels – regardless of what circumstance we find ourselves in.
An important lesson revealed in Acres of Diamonds is about being open and receptive to the everyday possibilities and opportunities we seek, wish, and desire but think it is outside of our grasp. Because the route to finding what we desire requires an openness to new thoughts and ideas. Sometimes the route will be unexpected and not what we had planned for but ultimately, it will bring us to the outcome we so desire.
The irony is that many opportunities are staring right at us and waiting patiently to be explored. When we easily dismiss and fail to see these nearby opportunities in our everyday life we are living our life foolhardy.
While reading Acres of Diamonds, it brought me back to L. Frank Baum’s, The Wizard of Oz when Dorothy eventually comes to understand that everything she has been seeking outside of herself has always been with her. And, like Dorothy, if we listen and truly value all the things that already surround us, we will eventually come to find our acres of diamonds.
Unfortunately, the protagonist in Acres of Diamonds does not arrive to the same understanding as Dorothy does and continues his long treacherous journey to faraway places but never finds diamonds he longs for.
Here are a few perspectives and diamonds mined from Acres of Diamonds…
Be clear about what you want in life
In life, what we want and desire involves clarity and detail. Caring about clarity and detail makes all the difference. But regardless of what we want, we must first know what that “something” we desire looks like, feels like, smells like, and tastes like so it will be easily recognizable and subtly familiar once we find it. Each and every goal, whether short or long term must be clear…..very clear.
Write down your goals
For me the postponing to write down my goals tends to go on and on….I know my procrastinator residing in me all too well. And despite my best attempts to have clarity in all my goals, I find my details sometimes fall through the cracks……then the dreadful editing process begins.
On a different note, there is a certain unspeakable magic that happens when writing our wishes, dreams, desires, and goals with clarity. After all, we never know how many new and different diamonds we will discover sitting dormant in our goals.
Change the venue but enjoy the process
Many times, there are opportunities peeking out in our everyday surroundings. The beauty of this is we don’t have to travel far to seize these unrevealed opportunities. So, next time you are in a different setting or location, take pause to look around and learn the immediate surroundings. There may be some hidden and undiscovered opportunities awaiting but only if you take notice first.
With that said, the journey of finding diamonds should be embraced and enjoyed more so than finding diamonds. Ironically, once we develop an appreciation and love for the journey with each crawl, step, walk and run, the destination will arrive quicker.
Keep an open mind
Keep an open mind about unexpected opportunities found on your path even if the path does not resemble what you initially wanted it to be. It’s how you choose to perceive the unexpected destinations and surprise turns that will determine where you will go. Having a positive mindset within the world will bring an abundance of surprisingly possibilities that were never thought of or even considered.
After all, going on long journeys in search for diamonds without first exploring the possibilities and opportunities standing beside us is foolish….and I have resisted this temptation, even when I have wanted to travel far.
Be clear of what you can offer to the world and invest in yourself where you are most needed
Opportunity combined with potential is often a feared beast standing before us…whether it’s subtle or obvious. But being able to recognize and acknowledge potential opportunities when it arrives and applying your unique skills can change your life in amazing and unimaginable ways…….but only if you are willing to take the first leap and invest in yourself first without riding on any promises from others.
Truth is, most opportunities discovered surround us in our everyday moments. Diamonds can be so much more than just shiny pretty stones. They can represent passions, lifestyles, relationships, and identities. Diamonds are simply unique and personal. Unique and personal to me and you…and this is what makes life rewarding.
I found my diamonds and still finding more.Have you found your diamonds or still searching?
XOXO JC
images, mohammad Metri, Daria Volkova, Daniele Levis Pelusi
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