The less there is of something the more valuable it becomes. The more unique, distinct, and one of a kind, the more precious. When we come across something not seen very often we call it rare. The simple truth is: if you want to be rare, you must do rare things. If you want to be extraordinary you must be more extra than ordinary.
If you want a relationship that defies our current trend of divorce, separation, or even lack of commitment altogether, you must do some things different than the norm. Nothing changes if nothing changes.
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There is a quality in our current time period that is hard to come by. Some may say it’s a virtue that is virtually lost. Yet within this asset is a treasure of priceless value; one so powerful that it changes everything, even those doomed to death.
The Spartans had a saying that went something like this: our sword is for the enemy; our shield is for our brothers. To describe the Spartan warriors—who once held off a Persian army of thousands with 300 men—is easy.
What made the Spartans so powerful, and thus famously known, is this currently missing virtue:
Loyalty.
Let us be really honest for a minute. We suck at loyalty right now. But what would happen if we brought it into our lives and held onto it tightly? What if we didn’t give up on our promises too early? How would our relationships change if we chose to be men and women of honor?
Loyalty is a hard decision, because it means that I put you before me. It means living a life that is counter-culture. And it will cost me. Let’s be real; if my loyalty isn’t costing me anything significant, it isn’t worth very much.
We live in a culture that says, “What can you do for me?” A life of loyalty questions, “What can I do for you?”
It is a life of sacrifice, but as all who live it will tell us, it is the only way to reach the level of closeness we all long for. Last week I shared about my parents’ rare 38 year marriage; filled to the brim with romance and friendship. What so many do not know is that they almost gave up on it 5 years after the wedding vows. Only their deep sense of loyalty kept them together. They had made a commitment and they meant it. The hard work paid off, as all who know them can well see.
Loyalty is powerful because at its core, it’s self-less. Thus, extraordinarily rare.
Choose to be rare. Because you already are.
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What an amazing season it has been of Tantalizing Tuesdays. Thank you all for the great conversations.
We will kick off Season 4 this upcoming September!
Have a ridiculously memory filled summer. See you next Fall.
