Can you Dig it?
When I was a kid, I did what most kids do, I went to the utensil drawer, grabbed a spoon and headed out to the backyard to dig. Someone had informed me that, if I dug far enough, I’d get to China. Several hours later, I had made 2 feet of progress. By then, my bent spoon and dirty fingernails convinced me that China would have to wait until I was old enough to operate bigger machinery. But that’s what we do: we dig for diamonds. We have a powerful need to find things, to revel in discovery. We don’t mind digging deep, reaching way down, as long as the prize is worth it. Think about how mom loves the very idea of treasure hunting. She pours through estate sales, talks about visiting those diamond mines in Arkansas and even bought a metal detector for the beach. Does she think she will strike it rich one day? Maybe, but I really believe finding even small treasures is thrilling for her. How about you? Are you willing to reach deep down, dig farther than most? How do you know what’s down there until you try?
As young people, we are very much like uncharted territory. We know that we contain treasures, we just don’t know exactly what kind. As we grow, learn and stretch ourselves, more of our treasure is revealed. Think of how sports metaphors describe our effort to reach a goal: dig deep, reach farther. The sports world gets it. The prize is in us somewhere, we just have to find it. Our effort, while sometimes very taxing and frustrating, can uncover something wonderful: our potential. When we get glimpses of that, it’s like a diamond shimmering and sparkling atop the mud at one of mom’s Arkansas diamond fields. It’s uncommon, beautiful and prized above everything else. But here’s the thing: diamonds are rare.
They are hard to find. They are built under extreme pressure and found amongst mud. They appear when you least expect it. They are definitely worth the effort.
So today, dig deep. Find your hidden treasure. I’ve seen glimpses of it. It has caught my eye as I’ve watched you, at times, trudge through the mud. Treasures are beautiful and precious not because we find them everyday, but precisely because we don’t. So expect the unexpected. Dig deep and you’ll be surprised at what you’ll find. It’s all good. And if all else fails, grab a spoon. Love dad
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