I am frequently reminded of just how blessed I was to be Pat Patrick's son. The older I get, the more I value the lessons, stories and values he passed along to me. Since I don't have a “son” of my own (that I'm aware of) to pass those “pearls of wisdom” to, I'll gladly share some of them with you. One, in particular, has stuck with me for many years. That is, the difference between dedication and commitment. Like so many other “lessons,” my dad passed this one to me in the form of a sort of “parable.”
Farmer Brown had many chickens on his farm. Every morning, without fail, those chickens would provide eggs for Farmer Brown and his family. Those chickens were very dedicated. Farmer Brown also had a dairy cow. Every morning, without fail, that dairy cow would provide milk for Farmer Brown and his family. That dairy cow was very dedicated. But those hogs in the hog pen? They were committed.
I remember stories from the Bible where Jesus told his followers that the time would come when they would have to decide their level of commitment, and not just their dedication. I wonder how many of us would be willing to have that same level of “commitment” as those guys?
I challenge you to ask yourself, “what am I committed to and what am I merely dedicated to?” Are you committed to your work and simply dedicated to your family? Are there things you are committed to really worthy of that commitment? Are there some things in your life that need more commitment and not simply your dedication? Those answers probably won't be found in a book, or even a clever, witty newspaper column. I have a feeling that the only place you'll find those answers is with a good, honest look in the mirror. Have a blessed day, here on the sunny side.