Joe was recruited by the Navy to be an Intelligence Specialist, but was selected for the Navy choir division in boot camp. His selection meant he didn't have to scrub pots and pans like the rest of us; he got to sing in parades and various ceremonies. He was selected because the man can sing! During our wedding reception he sang to me and made the other ladies swoon. When our daughters were babies, he often lulled them to sleep with sweet renditions of Beatles songs setting a love for classic rock deep into their souls. This fall Joe took the step to begin taking guitar lessons and finally really learn how to play. Singing while playing has been a dream of Joe's for quite some time and a man who has served others his entire life took a step to fulfilling a goal of his own.
I took this picture from outside the door of Joe's guitar lesson room. He didn't see me there. I probably stood and listened for 15 minutes. His fingers moved through the chords almost effortlessly and his vocals were on point. None of this surprised me because I know my husband is excellent at everything he puts his mind to.
After some time, I wandered toward the front. The guys at the desk were busy working but I interrupted them as usual. (I have a problem "railroading" people, I am working on this). They entertained me and added, "We have been trying to get Joe to come play with us on Wednesday nights, that man can really sing, and now he can play, too!".
Well, I had just finished drinking a Spark (my superMom cape) and the words just came from somewhere deep.
Me: "I know! If Joe only saw himself as we see him. The man is incredible. He has allowed all the stuff of life keep him just at the edge of awesome. Juuuuussst at the edge. If he would just let go of that, WOW."
Some people never even get to the edge of awesome. It isn't in them. Joe has always been there. He is just that good. He is the whole package: Intelligent, faithful, calm, responsible, admits when he is wrong, has a servant's heart, respects women, adventurous, can sing, tries to dance, ok with my crazy, I could go on and on.
The challenge for us all is to step out of our comfort zone, no matter if that is on the edge of ordinary or on the edge of awesome, to step out of comfort and accept that we must become uncomfortable to grow. This is why we need people to live life with. Not necessarily a spouse, although, that's a good start. This can be a sibling, a friend, a parent, a group, it can look different for different people. We are meant to live in community.
Your community, when chosen well, is also referred to as your inner circle. When you choose your inner circle well - it is the very catalyst that pushes you over the edge into your awesome.
I am a part of Joe's inner circle and I love it because his story is just beginning to unfold. Stick around, because as you continue to hear about mine, you will undoubtedly hear about his. Joe is not hanging out at the edge of awesome much longer.
