I was thinking about why diamonds are so dear. I believe it is because they are timeless, strong and add luster. Fortunately, most of us have living, breathing diamonds in our daily lives.
Diamonds are timeless. They don't fade out or lose value over the years. No other gem has come along to cause them to be outdated like a Beta videocassette tape. Good relationships are also timeless. These are the people who have been in our lives for some time and it looks like they aren't going anywhere. No matter how our lives/businesses change; no matter how their lives/businesses change, these diamonds will maintain their constancy. In personal relationships, these are the friends and family that stay by our sides, cheering us on, celebrating our successes, comforting our losses. In business relationships, these are the people who love to see us succeed, they mentor us, they introduce us to the right people, and then stand by proud of our successes. Be careful, always, to maintain these daimonds so as to preserve their timeless aspect in our lives and not become lost.
Diamonds are strong. They are used for cutting through materials that are impervious to steel. Incredible amounts of stress over long periods of time are required for a diamond to form. So too have the diamonds in our lives been formed over time by stress. They have suffered difficult childhoods; perhaps even abuse. They have had their hearts broken by the loss of loved ones. Their strong, healthy bodies have failed. Disaster has come through decisions that should never have had to be made. Whatever the stress, whatever the duration, they have survived -- they have come through with a strength that others can depend upon.
Diamonds have luster. They dazzle us and bring brilliance to our lives. A diamond which is properly cut and cleaned has a luster that responds to the slightest light. Even candlelight shines as it passes through the facets of the diamond. The business people and the personal friends and family that are the diamonds in our lives also bring their light to us. The strengths they have developed over time and the trueness of their natures create facets to them that cause the light they bring to us to be ever-changing yet always faithful. When our lives and businesses shine upon them, they reflect back beauty to us. This dazzling display gives to us hope, light, laughter, strength and the determination to stay in the game.
Thank you to all the diamonds that currently make up the treasures of my life: my parents, my brother and his family, my sister and her family, all of my dear friends and business contacts in BNI. Thank you for giving me your time, your strength and your brilliance. Thank you to the diamonds who are my children. If I have anything of value to give to you, it is surely due to and enhanced by all the diamonds that I claim in my life.
To all of you who feel lonely and in despair. If you are poor in spirit, look around. I bet you have diamnds in your life. If you do not treasure the diamonds you have, you will not be able to receive their gifts of timelessness, strength and luster. Instead, find your diamonds, polish them and let them shine in your lives.
