I have a friend who, when asked how he’s doing, will say, “I’m living large!” I love that response, because it always sounds like a challenge to do the same. I want to be living large too, but what does living large really mean?
Most everyone would say they want to be living large, but when it comes down to it, many would say they are really living more medium than large. They’re not living large and they’re not living small. They’re somewhere in the middle. The word for that is mediocre. That’s not always a bad thing, but most of us hunger for more. We want to be living large.
Does living large mean doing everything you want to do and having everything you want to have? I don’t think so. People are rarely satisfied with what they have. Some of the richest people in the world can still be some of the most dissatisfied people in the world. I think there’s more to living large than your inventory.
Living large is independent of your situation, your status, and your stuff. Living large is about milking the most out of everything in life…the good and the bad. After all, professional poker players make a great living by making the most out of the good and the bad hands. Living large is about maintaining the wonder in life, even if the wonders of life are in short supply.
Yeah, I know. Some of you are thinking, “Sounds like unicorns puking rainbows. Nice sentiment, but not very realistic. I have to live in the real world, not the Hallmark shop.”
I get it, but I believe that you can still live large, even in the “real” world. How? By making the most of three big “E” words. (Sounds a little bit like Sesame Street, doesn’t it?)
ENLIGHTENMENT – Enlightenment is a big “E” word for understanding, knowledge, and learning. I know many of us didn’t really like school, but I’m not talking about going back to school. I’m talking about a commitment to learn new things, no matter where you are. Why? Becausethe more you want to grow, the more you need to know.
EMPOWERMENT – Empowerment is another big “E” word that refers to the authority or power to do something. I can hear someone saying, “That’s it! That’s my problem! I don’t have any authority or power. That’s why I can’t live large!” It’s true that all of are limited in the authority and power we have, but living large comes from making the most of what you do have, not what you don’t have. You may not have the all authority or power you want, but you have more than you think…and probably more than you’re using.
ENGAGEMENT – This final “E” word is about actually doing something, making a move, getting involved, and trying something. You can’t live large by sitting on the sidelines. Zig Ziglar once said, “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” Walt Disney said, “The way to get started is to quit talking and start doing.” You’ll never live large if you don’t do something, and keep doing something.
I know all of this may sound like some sort of sappy, Ra-Ra speech, but it really isn’t. It just makes sense that if you want to be living large, you’re going to have to keep learning, make the most of the power you have, and actively do something. When you put it that way, living large is something we all can do.
On another level…
I think Jesus was trying to tell encourage us to live large when He said, “…I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Jesus was saying, because of me, you should be milking all the life out of life. You should be living large. So let’s answer the call and live life in a large way.
What does living large mean to you? Weigh in and leave a comment.
Copyright © 2014 Bret Legg
I really like this. I like the idea of living large meaning get everything out of a situation, living the moment to the fullest. I want to be able to to that, no matter how tired I am. Sometimes I think the ability to multitask is not a good thing. The skill has its place, but it is hard to get out of that mode and just be able to focus on one thing or situation. The unicorn puking rainbows reference was hilarious.
Glad you liked the post. I agree with the multi-tasking statements. We’ve become accustom to trying to have it all and do it all, that we’ve lost the magic and power of fully living in the moment. Heard the unicorn somewhere and it stuck with me. Keep growing and writing.
I really enjoyed your article on living large, because it means so many different things to different people! I knew some people named Legg in my earlier life (teenager) and it seems all of you are brilliant! Keep up the good work!
Grateful!
Thanks for reading!