The Big One!
I was inspired to speak about the Big One with NASCAR's being in Talladega this past weekend. The Big One usually happens at one of NASCAR's restrictor plate races. For those of you new to racing, restrictor plates are used to cut down the horsepower on race cars to keep them from exceeding speeds that would be unsafe for both the drivers and the spectators. Cutting down on speed causes the cars to run in a pack called the draft, because on these large tracks two cars running together are much faster than one by itself. Having large groups of cars running together makes for some exciting racing but can also cause some tense moments. When you have 43 cars doing 180 mph in one pack, all within approximately two seconds of each other, one mistake can cause a huge wreck.
In such close proximity one driver's mistake can set off a chain reaction leading to the Big One-a wreck taking out dozens of cars and tons of expensive equipment. To avoid the Big One, drivers need to be patient, pay extremely good attention, and choose their battles wisely. If they don't, the collateral damage caused by their poor judgment could be devastating.
I want to talk about this today as a reminder that what you do in your life affects people around you in either a good or bad way. I think that I have made a positive impact in many people's lives, but I may also have caused the Big One. My drinking and drug addictions have negatively affected many people. I have hurt many around me who were involved in my "wreck" because there was no way around it. Now that I am in recovery, however, I am more cognizant of how my actions affect others. By constantly reminding myself of my purpose on this Earth, I strive to be a better person and have a more positive impact on other people's lives.
As long as each of us is still on this Earth, we are not "totaled." Like a race car, you can be repaired after a wreck and race again another day. After the "Big One" at Talladega tempers flare and heated exchanges ensue. After a while, however, everyone calms down, and the guy you wrecked may be the one you push to victory at the next super speedway. Let this be a life lesson.
Remember we all make mistakes and should not be too hard on ourselves for them. As long as we realize that the choices we make affect others and we keep this at the forefront of every decision, we will make a positive impact on this Earth.
We have talked about being grateful in the past, but today I really want to focus on that. I want you to sit down and make a list of all of the things for which you are grateful. You should be able to come up with hundreds, if not thousands. Just write down as many as you can in ten minutes. Take a look at that sheet once you are finished and feel-concentrate on feeling-thankful. Keep it with you. On a bad day, pull it out and remind yourself of everything you have been blessed with...and smile.
Erik Elsea
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