BE A 10

070 – JUNE 2009

BE A 10

I stopped my car just before the crosswalk and watched this teenage boy give me a smile and a very nice thank you wave. It was so nice to see, because the news can sometimes suggest that our ‘global society’ is declining into a pit of self-centeredness and that everyone seems to be retreating from a proper spirit of gratitude.
It seems to be a correct evaluation, but I think it may be less societal and more of a human nature thing . Think about it – Maybe things haven’t changed that much.

Luke 17:12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

Jesus healed 10 lepers and only 1 returned to give him a ‘thank you’. Only 1! 1 of 10! 10%!
I believe that this 1 in 10 can apply to human nature and I have a saying that I use from this Bible account – “Be a 10!” Be that 1 of 10 that has gratitude. Be that 1 of 10 that will take the time to be courteous, considerate, and well mannered. Take the time and be thoughtful and friendly to both friends and strangers.

It’s easy to be a 90! It’s easy to be in the 90% group. That’s why it’s 90! It’s more difficult to be a 10. It’s hard to be in the 10% group! That’s why it’s 10!
Be a 10! Find ways to get out of yourself. Make it a point to slow down and be attentive to the virtues that will have positive affects on others. Share smiles more quickly and use positive words of kindness, encouragement, praise, and good manners.

It may be easier to skip past all of this but then you’ll be just a 90. You’ll just be average! In my mind, I see that teen pedestrian … with the big smile and courteous wave. He’s a 10! He might have just finished a can of Red Bull and was responding from a caffeine overdose … but I don’t think so. I’m guessing that a spirit of thankfulness lives in the foundation of his character.

Charlie “Tremendous” Jones was my favorite motivational speakers. At age 80, just one month before he died, he gave an interview. The final question was “After all of these years of life learning, what would you say is the most important thing you have learned about life? ” Jones leaned over, touched the reporter on the shoulder and said, “Always be thankful - A thankful spirit is what breeds every other quality.”!”