Yesterday, I had the privilege of spending time with my middle daughter Keela. I affectionately call Keela, “K-Diva.” She actually has many names I have named her, but none more important than her given name, Keela. Keela is half Keith and Sheila…since she is our middle child, she shares both our names. She is also a true reflection of both Sheila and I.
 
Our conversation began in the hub of our home, our kitchen and culminated in front of the gym where we worked out together. Keela is a junior in college, and will finish in 2011. I expressed to Keela what I want to express to you today, because the message was not just for her, but I believe it is from God and just maybe for you.
 
In a nutshell, I told Keela two things in two hours with many personal stories interlaced.
   1. As you began the last stages of college, you really need to know who you are.
   2. Knowing who you are will determine what you do.
 
Now for a Leadershipology:
 
“It is important to know you know who you are, because it will determine everything you will do.”
www.leadershipology.com
 
When Keela was about 4 years old, I was travelling approximately 40 to 46 weeks per year. She began the following tradition:
 
As I would arrive home after being out of town sometimes for a week, I would come in the front door and immediately hear footsteps running towards me. From around the corner I would see sweet little Keela running to me. Before hugging and kissing me, she would bow down on her knees, raise her hands in the air, look me in the eyes with a huge smile on her face and say, “Welcome home my Prince!” Then, she would jump up in my arms, hugging me and kissing me to my delight!
 
I did not teach Keela this. Keela’s mother did not teach her this. This was a gift that Keela would give me for many years as I entered the front door of our house. She did not do this because of who I was. She did this, because she knew who she was. Because she saw herself as my daughter, she was uninhibited in expressing who she was to me.
 
The message is clear: When we know who we are because of Whose we are, we are, we are uninhibited in giving our greatness away to others, beginning with those we love. What the world needs to see, is people who know who they are as sons and daughters of God, and express the best part of themselves to others which is the God in them. Too often times we hold back with giving our greatness away, because we feel we will be taken advantage of by people we give ourselves to. Giving your greatness to others is not about who they are, as much as it is about who you are and bringing what you have to bring. I want to encourage you today, not to hold back who you are because you may not be getting anything or what you want in return.
 
Make today better by doing what you do because of who you are and leave what you get back in God’s hands. God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Seeking God is not about being in prayer all day. It is about seeking to Think…Be and Do life like Him.
 
Do the Who of Who you are, not because others deserve it, but because of Whose you are!
Keith