MI-OR-IDA-CO Minitaters

Jul. 14, 2009

Pedestals of Glass

Have you ever been put on a pedestal? What was it made of? Glass, stone, marble? Did it crush under the weight of your responsibilities or did you fall from grace and it tumbled down around you?

During my short years on this planet (all 41 of them), I've been put upon many pedestals by people who thought they were doing a good deed. Why am I sharing this? Because I've recently been reminded by someone I love deeply that I've mistook a lot of my accomplishments and kicked them off the pedestal because I have an aversion to accepting them.

The Marble Pedestal - this is the one that our parents put us up on. It's shiny and exotic and it stands out (that's why the Greeks and Romans use the material for show pieces). They put us up there for all the world to see. Look at our accomplishments, see what we made? As children we accept this, as teens we loathe this, as adults we are ashamed of this because no one can live up to the marble's gloss and polish. These are the most fragile of pedestals. These are the pedestals most easily crushed by the weight of the person trying to stay standing on it.

The Stone Pedestal - this is the one that we put ourselves up on. See what I accomplished at work? See what material possessions I have that you don't? See I did this all by myself. As children we are encouraged to compete for the top of the stone pedestal. As teens we are often battered by other's pedestals. As adults we are usually standing on the pedestal by ourselves for because the stone is solid we cannot see those below us that we crushed to get to the top. This is a lonely pedestal that often withstands time, but does not give comfort from the storms.

The Glass Pedestal - this is the most precious pedestal of all. It is the one our loved ones and true friends place us on. Because it is see through we easily acknowledge those that have carried us on their shoulders and they can see our gratitude and appreciation for their efforts. There are no hidden crevices in a glass pedestal. It is smooth and almost transparent. If a crack were to form it could easily be repaired for all would see it and all would make it right again. The one standing on the pedestal has nothing to hide. All the slight imperfections are known and not hidden. While this is the strongest pedestal of all due to the strength of the crowd gathered below it, it can cause the most damage when it is crushed. Shards (often made of harsh words or feelings) slice through the flesh of the crowd as if it were the wind. Glass pedestals cannot be rebuilt once shattered. Not all the pieces will be found and therefore can never be whole again. Glass pedestals must be formed from the new sands of time.

What ever pedestal you are standing on, look to see if it's of the material deserving of you. Whether it be of marble, stone or glass remember one thing: All pedestals come with stairs and you can change your pedestal material one step at a time.

Thank you to those that have put me on my pedestal. And a special thank you to the man who reminded me yesterday that holding my hand and helping me climb the stairs affords you a better trip to your destination at the top.

~jaimers~