We spent a day visiting High Point University on a campus tour recently. We were introduced to Rachel (above) and told since there were no others scheduled that day we would have a private guided tour. Now, we snuck in the night before and took a walk around the campus and figuring we saw most of the campus we weren’t going to see anything more that was going to knock our socks off. Well needless to say we all ended the tour sock-less. Rachel was fantastic, engaging and highly informative. She was definitely a “High Point”!
We started our tour in the campus store, where I made reference that since Polo was being sold at the campus store that LiFE is NOW…® should also have some shelf space. Much to my chagrin but more to my understanding Rachel said; “LiFE is NOW…®, I don’t know that company”. Ouch! That hurt. But fully understandable. I then informed her that it was our company and in fact we had High Point’s colors already in our inventory. Better yet we have one (maybe two or three) purple LiFE is NOW…® tanks just for her and asked if she would she like one. She smiled the smile you see in her photo, said, “yes” and thanked us. We gave her several more for her friends.
As we made our way around the campus via golf cart I became more aware of a message I was seeing displayed in sculptures, plaques and how our guide, Rachel, was presenting the university. Incredibly High Point’s focus and LiFE is NOW’s culture were very similar. From the quote seen below to the life skills that are offered from the very beginning to create well rounded individuals; and on to dreaming big. There seems to be no stopping a HPU graduate with all the support that is purported to be available.
What a great way of looking at the world. In a past post called The World is Yours we talk about making the world your own. Changing it; it’s malleable. This can’t be done thinking the same way all the time and believing you are relegated to waiting for someone else to build a bridge in order to get to your dream or change course. Be the one who builds the bridge in your mind and allow others to follow you on your quest. But please warn those who follow; that because you are bridge builder you may not be on this path forever. If they want to follow you across another bridge and to other dreams and worlds, well that’s their prerogative. We try not to ever forget to Try Something New. Remember the story of the Titanic and the Ark?
It seems there is some designed semblance of balance in the culture at HPU; from being encouraged to “Dream Big” for the future to filling life with joy and more in the NOW. Reminds me of The Rocks and the Mayonnaise Jar story. The Dream Big Chairs were highly noticeable as the bright white giants loomed in the middle of the campus on a background of dark green. They are a constant reminder to never stop dreaming. And if you’re going to dream why not Dream Big. Below is a sculpture called The Cupped Hand; one of many, seen throughout the campus. Each one has a plaque describing its significance. This particular one is there to ensure that we always remember to fill life with “learning, fellowship, joy and more”. From a LiFE is NOW…® standpoint it is a great spot to pause, realize you’re alive and enjoy the moment and take in the sheer beauty the world and people have to offer.
So as you make your way through LiFE you have the choice of drifting on autopilot or taking action, dreaming big, building bridges and molding your world. It’s up to you.
Rachel certainly seems to have made a choice to look at LiFE in a proactively positive way and it shows. Cheers Rachel!
LiFE is NOW…® make it a High Point!
