Love the Life You Have Been Given

Do you ever find yourself jealous of certain people and want their life? Maybe it’s your neighbors down the street Bob or Deb. They have high-paying jobs, wonderful children or maybe grandchildren and plenty of friends. To you: the perfect life.

Maybe it’s a popular actor or actress, sports star or world-famous executive. You reason, “If I had that notoriety my life would be great.”

It’s a slippery slope wanting someone else’s life. I know because I’ve been there and occasionally return to that place.

Being born with a physical disability, I have yearned for the so called good health of another person. Plus, I have struggled with wanting other’s business success when my career goals fall flat.

We may perceive other’s perfect lives, but in reality it’s strictly a perception. Nobody has the perfect life and everyone struggles with something.

Last year, I heard a pastor on the radio say “Love the life God has given you.” A couple weeks later: the same message. I couldn’t remove it from my thinking.

We all have a life given to us whether we believe in a creator or not. The journey is our own and unique. In times of success and particularly failure, let’s remember our life is a gift and embrace our uniqueness.

Do you struggle with wanting someone else’s life? What steps can you take to greater appreciate your own life?

We All Need Hope

One of the privileges of taking my personal story out on the speaking circuit is interacting with junior high, high school and college students.  Students are fun, energetic and hold a certain untainted view of life and the world in general.

I speak on overcoming personal challenges based on a lifetime of living with cerebral palsy. Another privilege I have is when students approach me after my talk. Some thank me for simply coming to speak, others appreciate my content and others connect with my brokenness.  This third group usually has a physical disability or they may struggle with mental issues. They apparently feel safe to share their ‘story’ with me. That is an encouragement.

My speaking desire is to bring hope. No matter what the personal story, we can all bring others a little hope. Sometimes that is a special and much-need gift to a person.

I trust I can share more hope with students in 2018. Please contact me at speakerpaul@comm1net.net for more information on how I might serve junior high, high school and college students.   

   

Paul Delger's Speaking Testimonials

"You made a huge impact on all our students to work hard and never give up. Many students face many challenges and you inspired our students through your own personal life story. We would love to have you come back."
Scott Hanson, Principal, Lakeview School, Cottonwood, Minnesota 

“You have an awesome story that a lot of people can learn and benefit from! Thank you so much for your willingness to share and be open.”

Tom Brown, Southwest Minnesota State University Fellowship of Christian Athletes

“I think it (the speech) was really inspirational. We have a lot of bullying going around in our school and not only did it affect that aspect, but it also gave us a clear mentality to never give up and how important that is--no matter what. ”

Molly Hennen, Student, Minneota (Minnesota) Public Schools 

Hire Paul Delger as Your Next Speaker

Would count it a privilege to bring encouragement and motivation to students, groups or organizations with my 'Keep Your Uniform On' presentation. My talk challenges people to overcome their obstacles. It has been well-received. Please contact me at speakerpaul@comm1net.net for more information on this motivating message. Thank you so much.

The Power of Encouragement

Recently, I had the privilege of spending time again with a Division I college basketball team. This school lands itself frequently in the national ratings, appears often in the NCAA tournament and gains much exposure on television.

In the world of entitlement, this team could sit at the table. The players and coaches are stars, but they act like regular guys. The players are respectful and polite, whereas the coaches are genuine.

On this occasion, I had the opportunity to share a meal with the team. I was struck with the guy’s appreciation to the hotel wait staff. The words “thank-you” was a common theme.  No entitlement here.

We have all experienced how entitlement looks and sadly sometimes feels. But we have the opportunity to extend the power of encouragement. And we might just make someone’s day.

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Paul Delger is an inspirational speaker with a passion to reach students and athletes with the message of overcoming. Follow him on Twitter @pdelger

Inspirational Quote from Speaker Paul Delger

"Thankfulness is an attitude worth practicing each day."

Inspirational Quote

Adversity can make one bitter or resilient. It's always a choice.