If you have been to Las Vegas, you know exactly what I am taking about. If you haven’t, chances are you have seen Las Vegas and the iconic “Strip” from a movie screen or television show. The bright lights on The Strip. The elegant and flamboyant hotels. The well designed casinos where you are only one roll, one spin or one flip of the card away from cashing in on instant life change! Talk about sensory overload! I love looking at the bright lights, the big buildings and to scan the horizon for detailed design I may have missed at first glance.
WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT
On The Strip the lights never go out. At any time, any day, the lights are always on and ready for you! Unfortunately, as human beings we can’t operate that way. In today’s culture, where pushing yourself to the limit (physically and mentally) is expected and in some cases a badge of honor, we simply can’t leave the lights on all the time. When we attempt to leave the lights on all the time, we burn out. The same drive, desire and passion we once had begins to diminish and the objective we started to attempt looks even further away through the lenses of accomplishment.
As I walked up and down “The Strip,” bouncing from hotel to casino, enjoying the breathe taking art work and engineering design, I began to notice a common theme. The elements of design, the bright lights, the attention to detail were created in hopes to capture my attention, my time, my money, my entertainment, my desire to be a part of something great. Each venue wanted to convey the message that says, “Stay here, we are the best, everything you desire is here, come in, sit down and get it any time, any day.” At face value, it sounds like the truth. But deep down inside, it is a lie.
TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND RECHARGE
Seeing the excitement on the girls faces who were participating in their first 5K was priceless. Being active and encouraging others along the way, whether it be running, jogging or walking, everyone who participated would finish the race! Spending time with the boys of YMSL Las Vegas and to see their joy and excitement as they close the chapter on their high school career and start a new chapter in college or wherever life might take them was refreshing.
When I got outside of The Strip, I could see that I don’t have to leave the lights on all the time, I can rest, relax, serve and participate with others. I could cheer them on to victory and in doing so, recharged my battery. I was able to share my experiences, the lessons learned and where I left the lights on for too long in the past.
Are there any areas in your life where you may need to turn out the light? Or at the very least, turn down the light and not burn out? When we turn out the lights, rest and recharge, our message, our passion and our desire will shine even brighter to those around us and to the people we serve.
