Spinning Plates

Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2011

The search for significance in an age-old question that artists and writers have attempted to answer through their work for centuries- I am in a season of life where I am thinking a lot about making a difference. So this is the American dream as it is presented to us- being married to someone you love, having your own car, a job, a house with a mortgage, two kids, a reasonable amount of unsecured debt and a vacation once a year. It is something you see in an iPhone or a beer commercial or read about in Southern Living or Garden and Gun.

One thing that I have determined is that life is not about acquiring stuff. Life is about acquiring experiences. How many times have you stopped and reflected about the things that you have as opposed to your experiences? Is your stuff what makes you happy?

I seriously doubt it.

Have you ever seen the circus act where someone is spinning plates? There are several of these javelin-type sticks and the performer is going back and forth between them, balancing several spinning plates. He spins one and then the next and then on to the next in a dizzying and circular pace to keep the plates in their orbit. Does your life feel like this? I know that mine often does. I go from one thing to another all day long and I do not have time to do much else than think about the next plate that I need to spin. We work long, stressful hours for what- to buy more stuff. What would our lives look like if we broke free from stuff that we don’t need? What would life be like if we broke free from consumerism?

I admit that I am the world’s worse. I like nice things. Like most of us, I have more things than I could ever use. This is a blessing and a curse.

Recently, I had the honor of being named Top 40 Under 40 by the Mississippi Business Journal. There was this huge, swanky lunch sponsored by several large companies. The highlight of the event was the announcement of the Top 40. The MC read the names in alphabetical order. Being a good bit down the list, I got to listen as the names were read aloud along with the accomplishments that each individual had achieved. The field was impressive. People that had started their own companies, ran large organizations, achieved numerous post graduate degrees and had an array of volunteer work in all sorts of very worthy causes were mentioned one by one.

Rachel and I took Mollie and Emma out of school so they could attend. They were the highlight of my day, as usual. While they had no idea what the event was about- they knew that daddy was getting a trophy. It could have been for anything- they could not have cared less. Walking on stage to get my plaque and have my picture taken with the publisher as they read off my resume in front of all of these people was so pale in comparison to the reception I received from my girls. They were not interested in all the stuff that I had accomplished- they were just proud that I was their daddy. I later told my law partner that I felt like I had been to my funeral. I do not want someone to read my resume when I walk into heaven. Craig was the founder of a boutique law firm blah blah blah.

Jeremy was encouraging, as usual. He has been listening to me talk for months about making a difference. He suggested that I not think of the event as a funeral, but more of a graduation. I am now graduating to the second part of my life- the part where I make a ripple. It’s time to use my talent, ability, influence and energy to do some good in this world. How about you?

So I have told you about Kathy before. She is a missionary in a foreign country. When she was selling all of her worldly belongings prior to leaving for the mission field again, she did not regret the auction or the people pilfering through her things- she regretted all the time she wasted acquiring a bunch of stuff that did not matter.

That’s where I am. It’s time to matter and stop spinning plates.

By: Craig Robertson

3 Comments

on 14-Apr-2011 08:31 AM
Matt Says:

You're not the only one that is feeling this stir or unrest or dissatisfaction in stuff. There is a sense of safety in stuff, a sick sense of accomplishment in stuff. What if we turned that energy that we expend gathering it into useful, service driven
momentum? What does this "making a difference" look like? Where do I fit in the service picture? These are questions that have been running through my mind, as well. Maybe we just need someone to take the first step, someone to bust through the banner and
lead the team onto the field. .

on 14-Apr-2011 10:24 AM
Gayle Elliott Says:

Thanks for reminding me of the REAL importance our lives can make. My youngest son and his wife will be leaving to be missionaries in Morocco for 2 years. I am SOOOO very proud of them. They found at an early age - unlike many of us - what is really important
and are going to spread that to others. I admire their courage and their commitment to God. I love your posts.

on 02-Nov-2011 05:11 PM
stephen stone Says:

I don't know you. But I used the phrase "keeping plates in the air" today and a mutual third party referred me to your blog. It sounds like you have done things pretty well. There is certainly no shame in being trophy worthy. I never have been. However
I, like you, realize the wonder of my family. I recall the time, not the toys we share together. But your work has no doubt touched many lives, and affected especially the lives of your daughters and wife. Instead of reinventing your life, maybe you should
reinvent the way you see it. As much as I hate to see my boy grow beyond my grasp, or see another year pass through my marital fingers, I know that at a point quality time becomes quantity time. Rejoice in your success. You obviously have passion for the "good".
The spinning plates don't necessarily take away from life, but rather enrich it by forcing us to see and enjoy what otherwise we would take for granted.