Recently I was asked to speak for an organization called, “Nest Effect.” The venue was rather cool because it was a movie theater and our story played for the first time on the big screen. It was an intimate setting for these business and community leaders who had gathered in their own cozy nest to chat, brew and possibly even get their feathers ruffled from my challenge them to take flight and soar.

My style is to customize any message I deliver with the theme, name and vision of my hosting organization. That evening was no different, as I asked about their own personal nest. Here are some highlights, as I helped them to See Beyond and take life to the next level.

N – Honestly assess where you are NOW, so you can take your NEXT step. Do you know what that might look like for you?

E – Something is EVOLVING, so be EXPECTANT and ENCOURAGE others on your way. Just like the butterfly breaking out of thecocoon,  after evolving during the changing struggle, and a waddling woman about to give birth, encourage yourself too in your personal dream, vision and purpose.

S – You are STRATEGICALLY positioned for this hour…SEIZE it and give it all your might. Don’t overlook others or opportunities.

T – TODAY is your present gift. It is training, equipping and launching you into your TOMORROW.  The regrets, loss and pain of yesterday will strengthen your wings as you mount to flight, focusing on new heights.

AND, the EFFECT is transformed lives and impacting your generation for good.

Someone recently asked me what I wanted more than anything else. They expected my answer would be to see again. I surprised them by quickly saying, “I want to be effective.”

Most have found a comfort in simply sitting on their egg nest and not investing in today. I am not talking about investments in Wall Street or stocks and bonds but, instead, investing your life, which is a gift, and seeing the multiplication and increase that can come from your efforts. Others like to sit and brew on their egg of creations, inventions, books and dreams. Give opportunity for your egg ideas to hatch. You will need to expend yourself with nurturing, feeding and developing your dreams, but go on and see what can take flight. Quit sitting around in your self-made nest, fearing the threatening storms. You were made to fly. You are not caged in, unless you want to be, so catch the wind of my encouragement and find the lift you need.

When thinking about a nest, my personal choice is the eagle’s nest. It is high in the tree of life, and its purpose and determination is to soar above the circumstances and others. Vision will give you an eagle eye’s view, and the Creator of Life will be the wind under those wings. Just like the eagle flies so high that he may have ice on his bills and wings, he is ready and his focus is keen.

You can be too, if you will just get out of your nest. The effect will be beyond what you can see now.

When you choose to look past the horizon… the sky is the limit!