I was teasing a friend the other day that it’s all about “who ya know, ya know”. And networking connections are a huge key to success in life, of course. But if you are truly going to be “successful” in life, it’s even more important to KNOW YOURSELF.

At this point in my life, I’m finally coming to terms with myself…always striving to be my best, yet balanced with trying to maintain a peaceful contentment with who I am at the present. And that was the basis of my playful teasing last night. Still open to riding with someone during the week, I teased that I have a “heart of gold and a bike of steel” (not the lighter weight carbon for racing) …and that I’m good with that (well…for the moment). 🙂

And knowing yourself is still quite “the rage” today–heard of and took yet another “personality” test yesterday at work–this one for what type entrepreneur I would be. Being an “Expressive” DESA, it was no real surprise that I fell into the “Heart” category.

And laughing to myself about that, I was gently reminded:

As Don Henley sings, it’s getting down to the “Heart” of the matter that truly counts–especially in this “graceless age”. That’s why, more than personality styles or “success tactics”, it’s important to know who I AM in Christ–I am a Child of God. I am the Righteousness of Christ. When my Heavenly Father sees me, He sees His Son…and He is “well pleased”.

And being IN Him, having the gift of His Holy Spirt dwelling inside me, I am tapped into the limitless reservoir that He IS. And I have His unending Favor and Grace to share with this “graceless world”….Joy, Love, Peace, Perseverance, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control.

As a CHRISTian, this is who I AM…and this is the Gift that I have to offer…the true “Heart” of the matter. And that “Heart of gold” will be what “wins the gold” in the race of Life…and that’s really what matters. 🙂

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7, 8 NKJV)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:22, 23, 25 NKJV)

Heart of the Matter…Don Henley

I got the call today
That I didn’t wanna hear
But I knew that it would come
An old, true friend of ours was talkin’ on the phone
She said you’d found someone
And I thought of all the bad luck,
And the struggles we went through
And how I lost me and you lost you
What are these voices outside love’s open door
Make us throw off our contentment
And beg for something more?
I’m learning to live without you now
But I miss you sometimes
The more I know, the less I understand
All the things I thought I knew, I’m learning again
I’ve been tryin’ to get down
To the heart of the matter
But my will gets weak
And my thoughts seem to scatter
But I think it’s about…forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don’t love me anymore
Ah…these times are so uncertain
There’s a yearning undefined
And people filled with rage
We all need a little tenderness
How can love survive in such a graceless age?
Ah…the trust and self-assurance that lead to happiness
They’re the very things – we kill I guess…
Ohh pride and competition
Cannot fill these empty arms
And the work I put between us
You know it doesn’t keep me warm
I’m learning to live without you now
But I miss you, baby
And the more I know, the less I understand
All the things I thought I’d figured out
I have to learn again
I’ve been trying to get down
To the heart of the matter
But everything changes
And my friends seem to scatter
But I think it’s about…forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if, you don’t love me anymore
There are people in your life who’ve come and gone
They let you down, you know they hurt your pride
You better put it all behind you baby; cause’ life goes on
If you keep carryin’ that anger, it’ll eat you up inside, baby
I’ve been trying to get down
To the heart of the matter
But my will gets weak
And my thoughts seem to scatter
But I think it’s about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don’t love me
I’ve been tryin’ to get down
To the heart of the matter
Because the flesh will get weak
And the ashes will scatter
So I’m thinkin’ about forgiveness..

[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/d/don+henley/the+heart+of+the+matter_20042042.html ]