Years ago, I was told to read a book by Russell H. Conwell, called Acres of Diamonds. In a rare turn of events, I took the advice and actually read it. The story was simple enough. Told of a man that was enticed to search for diamonds in the hopes of becoming rich. So he sold his home and set out to do that. The new owner of the home, while sitting out on his back porch, noticed a shimmer in the evening sunlight. Turns out that home was sitting on a piece of property that had one of the largest diamond mines ever discovered.

I’ve thought about that book over the years; the underlying message neatly hidden in its pages.

Don’t seek for what you want in other places without first thoroughly examining what you already possess.

I’ve lost count of the amount of people I’ve been on a sit with, that when looking at their situation, I’ve been able to come up with a strategy or plan using the assets or tools they currently have readily available to them. Yet, for some reason, they couldn’t see it; and for some reason applying that concept to my own life never occurred to me. But here I am, staring down the barrel of something that was already there; all these years, and I never recognized it. Simply did not see it. If it was a snake, it would have bit me…

How often is that the case?

How often is it that we fail to consider our own tools, talents, or assets, that are blatantly obvious to someone on the outside looking in; but for whatever reason when it comes to us recognizing the value or potential that we have with what we currently have: We can’t see it.

It’s almost like looking at one of those 3D images…you have to unlock your eyes a bit to actually see it.

Things we are capable of, assets readily available, tools in our inventory, etc. that we are dismissing or have forgotten about that would have a marked impact on our current situation. Maybe some have been recognized; yet for whatever reason, they were dismissed? Now, suddenly they make more sense. Now, maybe they’ll work, when in the past they wouldn’t? Sometimes all that’s needed for something to work is a bit of time and growth?

Sometimes…we need to get out of the way…

Sometimes when a solution is presented, our minds tend to offer up excuses or reasons why it won’t work; or we’ll suddenly think of every possible thing that could possibly go wrong. Every reason why, whatever it is, simply can’t or won’t happen. In those moments…when our minds are working against us, maybe we should simply step out in faith, and move in that direction? Let what happens, happen? Just see…

Not all doors remain closed. Sometimes things hidden for a time, become visible when given a second look. Time often gives new opportunities to check your inventory…what may have been unavailable then, may be available now…take another look; can you see it now? Is it there…those acres of diamonds? There, in your own back yard…all this time? Perhaps now is a good time to look at things once again…one more time; before you attempt to search the world for what is already there. 

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