The dictionary defines “Remarkable” as..
2. Unusual: Unusual or exceptional, and attracting attention because of this
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Something remarkable is worth talking about. Worth noticing. Exceptional. New. Interesting. It’s a Purple Cow. Boring stuff is invisible. It’s a brown cow.
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But what about people who have lived “remarkable” lives? People who have stood out as unusual or exceptional. Can we live a life that is remarkable?
Let’s look at some people who have lived lives that are exceptional and truly remarkable:
Rosa Parks: Stood up for a principle of equality that cost her dearly. She stood firm when others would not. She was remarkable for her faith and determination to right a wrong that confronted her on a daily basis. Her lonely act of defiance began a movement that ended legal segregation in America, and made her an inspiration to freedom-loving people everywhere.
Thomas Edison: Would not give up. He kept trying things one after the other. His friends and family called him crazy. He would work tirelessly toward a goal. He had the innate gift of seeing the impossible and bringing it to fruition. Persistence and overcoming failure were hallmarks of this man’s incredible life. When others would quit he was empowered to keep going.
Billy Graham: Billy has always had a clear consistent message of hope and salvation. He is remarkable for telling it like it is and not giving in to incredible worldly pressure to water down his message. While many in the public spotlight have failed or fallen Billy has remained true to the word.
Harry & Esther Snyder: The founders of In-N-Out Burger had a simple philosophy
“Give customers the freshest, highest quality foods you can buy and provide them with friendly service in a sparkling clean environment.” They are truly remarkable for carrying this simple philosophy thru the expansion of their first store to over 140 stores in 2006. All the stores are still privately owned and operated with a simple menu and smiling faces. Remarkably simple.When I look at others who have lived truly remarkable lives I see people with a unique trait in common. They all have set “remarkable goals‘ for their lives.
To me living a remarkable life is to wake up every morning with a vision and passion for remarkable things. Not ordinary, not like everyone else. But truly a unique path that no one else has traveled. It may be to live a truly unwavering life such as Billy Graham or create amazing things such as Thomas Edison. The excitement and passion of living a “remarkable life” can truly drive you to excellence.
Remarkable goals are created when you take your passions and combine them with a straight arrow vision followed up with determination and a conviction to do what is right. Remarkable goal setters look for problems and create solutions. They look past themselves and see how they can impact others.
They receive inspiration thru innovation, information and imagination. They ask questions… can we make this bigger, better or faster? Can we go where no one has gone before? They see the moon as a stepping stone to the planets. They can take a complicated impossible task and simplify it.
Have you set truly remarkable goals for your life? Have you looked past the ordinary to the improbable or even the impossible?
When you look into the future what do you see in a year… two years … five years.
Don’t set ordinary goals…
Don’t be like everyone else…
Set remarkable goals…
Your friends and family will say you are crazy… that it can’t be done…
Paint that picture of the future bright and exciting!
Be remarkable… now go out and change the world.