Some people are born to break the mold and yet others are born to die doing so. The average life expectancy today is said to be 79. Perhaps you’ve heard the term, 80 Summers, indicative of the amount of summers we are projected to experience in our life time. When you think of it in terms of summers, it doesn’t really sound like a lot, does it? Especially if you have already crossed the midway point.
The truth is no one really knows the amount of time each one of us has been sent on assignment. Assignments vary and so does the time for completion. Yet, I don’t think that sitting around counting how many summers we have left is the most productive thing we can do. A better way to live is to focus on breaking the mold.
You don’t have to be a supernaturally gifted person in order to break the mold. Let’s consider star athletes for example. Even star athletes were not star athletes all of their lives. They broke the mold by working hard. Average people like you and I are also called to break the mold. Many times we hide behind thoughts like, “I’m not talented enough”, “I don’t have enough money”, or “If I was only born with a certain gift”. These are all false conceptions of reality and not an excuse for not becoming all we were created to be.
I’d like to share my favorite quote with you. It was written by Tim Notke and captures the essence of what Breaking the Mold is.
Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn’t work hard. – Tim Notke
You see, very few people are born with specific gifts for specific roles… the rest are all developed.
I’d like to introduce you to someone I know who broke the mold. Remember I said some people are born to die breaking the mold? Above is a picture of my grandmother who was just 2 months shy of 108 years old when she passed away this past Friday. She knew how to break the mold. A woman, who faced many of the same challenges you and I face in life. She was a wife, a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who lived what many would consider to be an average life; but there was nothing average about her.
She knew what her assignment on earth was and she graciously carried it out for 107 years. Because breaking the mold is not about being famous, on TV, or recognized by millions, but about breaking pre-determined expectations.
…She definitely broke those!
Romans 12:2 says it this way:
Do not conform to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…
This I learned from my grandmother…Break the Mold or die trying.
Great message!
Thanks Rosemary.
Hi Rosie,
First, I am sorry to hear the passing away of your grandma, and my thoughts of sorrow are with, and your family. Your article today is definitely a reality check for all of us, I am on my way to brick my mold!
Thank you Max. We only have so long to get it right. Can’t let time just pass us by.
What a great picture of your grandmother! It conveys a beautiful spirit, content with a job well done. I’m sure she was a strong contributing force in making you the woman you are today.
Thank you Glenda. Teach a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart 🙂
Found on on Arabahjoy link up and “Breaking Pre-Determined Expectations” really hit home because that is one of the things I am dealing with right now. Thank you for reminding us that we should not conform to the patterns that the world wants us to conform to.
I’m glad you related to that Miriam; so do I. Its not about doing something the world considers extravagant but about reaching past our own personal limits. I appreciate your comment. 🙂
Be transformed – yes ma’am. Smart grandmother to teach you to break the mold! Susan
Thank you Susan, I appreciate your comment 🙂
I’m so sorry for your loss. But what a wonderful legacy she has left you. Thanks for sharing her with us and encouraging us to live in whatever way God calls us to break the mold! Happy Sunday!
Happy Sunday to you too Holly. I appreciate your thoughts. – Break the mold for Him this week 🙂
I love this beautiful tribute to your wonderful and amazing grandmother. Thank you so much for sharing her here with us. Almost 108 is honestly amazing and what a feat. My great-grandfather made it to 103 when I was a kid and couldn’t agree with your message here more as he also lived life to the fullest and broke the mold completely, as well.
Thank you Janine. It truly is an amazing thing to live that long. We can only hope to live in such a manner 🙂
Thank you for this tribute to your grandmother. I love how she broke the mold and the story of her life well-lived. Thank you for sharing this at Weekend Whispers.
I appreciate your comment Mary. Be blessed. 🙂
Rosie, this is beautiful! What a woman your grandmother must have been! May God give you comfort in your loss. Thank you for your encouragement to “break the mold,” and reminding us that those negative thoughts, about not being good enough or smart enough, etc., are “false conceptions of reality and not an excuse for not becoming all we were created to be.” God has given us what we need to be what He has called us to be. May we all remember that and cling to Him for wisdom and strength to follow Him.
I’m glad you liked it Gayl. -Yes, may we all remember always to cling to Him for wisdom and strength, our true source!!!
Thanks, Rosie, for posting this. Thank you for sharing about your Grandmother-truly beautiful inside and out. Thank you for breaking down life into “summers”—totally eye opening. And thanks for hitting the concept of “break the mold” home for me with Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..”
Blessings from Holland,
Jasmine
ps, stopping by from the #DanceWithJesus linkup, nr.59
I appreciate your encouraging words Jasmine. I agree, looking at it in terms of “summers” allows us to get a different perspective on life in general. Thank you for sharing 🙂