Back when I was first beginning my career, I used to listen to cassette tape recording of the great motivational speaker and author, Earle Nightengale.(It sounds so ancient to use the words, cassette tapes, but that is how I used to stay focused during long trips for my company.) I will always remember one of Earle’s favorite topics that he called “Acres of Diamonds.” and it is one of those rare stories that seems to linger and gather importance the older you get. Here is how it goes:
It seems that there once was a farmer in South Africa who owned a large plot of land that he worked hard at every day, squeezing out a meager living through his hard work. One day, he heard about a neighbor of his who had sold his land and devoted his days to searching for diamonds that were being discovered all over South Africa during those times. Rumor had it that this farmer soon discovered diamonds and was now fabulously wealthy and no longer had to turn to farming for his living. This farmer soon thought that he, too should sell his farm and begin his quest for his own diamonds. After a bit of research and effort, he found a buyer for his ranch, sold it at an attractive price and began his quest for the diamonds that he was certain would soon make him rich.
Well, our former rancher-turned-diamond hunter knew very little about diamonds. He knew quite a bit about farming, but never took the time to research where diamonds could most likely be found, how to discover and dig for them, or even what they looked like when they were resting in the earth. He did not do his homework, relied only on the rumors and stories of others and soon, after much frustration, had exhausted all of the money he had obtained through the sale of his farm. Alone, depressed, broke and in deep despair, he through himself off of the mountain where he was conducting yet another futile search for the elusive diamonds and died, literally a broken man.
Meanwhile, back at his original ranch, the man who had bought his ranch was out plowing the fields for spring planting. His plow hit a large rock and he stopped, got out, bent down to look at the rock he had unearthed, and, you guessed it, he had uncovered the largest known diamond ever discovered. In fact, the field he had just bought from our farmer friend contained thousands of diamonds. As the title indicates, he had uncovered acres of diamonds, right on the same farm that the rancher sold to seek diamonds elsewhere.
While this story is indeed tragic, it also provides lessons that simply cannot be ignored. The one I always linger on is that I had better really know what I have and possess right now in my own life and own yard. Rather than look for the latest “Get rich quick.” idea, I search carefully for what I already have and how I can best use it. I also have learned to study my craft, prepare myself and be ready when I find that diamond on my plot of land that is within me. The farmer really failed because he did not know what a diamond looked like in its original form, and as such, could not recognize the opportunity of a lifetime when it arrived on his doorstep. I have vowed to never make that mistake if I can help it.
While the grass may appear greener in my neighbor’s yard, my own plot of land could also contain acres of diamonds, just waiting to be discovered. Before I every contemplate leaving my own farm, I will have first mined every inch of it, searching and seeking that elusive diamond, that I am confident is there, just waiting to be uncovered.
We are all sitting on our own acres of diamonds and it should be our duty to discover them and then, more importantly, recognize them for what they are and then use them, as only a truly wise person can. First look within and be prepared when opportunity presents itself. Diamonds may last forever, but we all have our own shelf life.