If you knew you had absolutely no limitations (time, talent, connections, money, or lack of any of these; name it), how would your life differ from how you live today? If you knew you could not fail, what would you attempt?
“It’s a strange thing, you have said it thousands of times I am sure… you will never know what you can do until you try. However the sad truth is, that most people never try anything until they know they can do it.”
— Bob Proctor
By age 13 Erik had lost his sight due to a rare genetic disorder affecting the retina. Not exactly how a young man would like to start his adolescent years much less the rest of his life. Yet rather than allow his misfortune stop him from living life as any other person, Erik instead set out to prove that anyone can do anything they make up their mind to. Rather than of give up his love of sports, he began wrestling and became one of his high school team’s star players. He discovered his passion for climbing at age 16. He also became an active skier, marathon runner, and sky and scuba diver. May 24, 2001, Erik Weihenmayer became the first blind person to ascend the summit of Mount Everest. He has also conquered the Seven Summits: each of the tallest peaks on each of the world's seven continents- an accomplishment less than 100 people have made.
Thomas Edison "failed" over 10,000 times before he invented the incandescent light bulb. When asked about his apparent failures he would reply, "I have not failed. I simply discovered another way that does not work." He hadn't failed; he had learned something new. Abraham Lincoln had been bankrupt, suffered depression twice and failed previous attempt to enter political life, but at age 51 that he became President.
Think you're best years are behind you? At the ripe young age of 60 a gentleman with only an idea and a great recipe set out to make his fortune. His proposal was turned down time and time again. He was turned away over 1000 times! He didn't stop. The man was Colonel Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Overcoming obstacles is inherent to success. But the great equalizer in surmounting any challenge is
persistence, dedication, and simple tenacity. Persistence is the acting out of our commitment to achieving our dreams. Even the child's story of the Tortoise and the Hare illustrates the enormous power of tenacity.
Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; un-rewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan, ‘Press on,’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.
–Calvin Coolidge
Not born with a silver spoon in your mouth? Even better:
In 1908 a young newspaper columnist was the assignment of interviewing the great steel baron, Andrew Carnegie. Being about impressed the young man during the interview, Carnegie persuaded the young man to organize the world's first philosophy of personal achievement. It took over 500 interviews before Think and Grow Rich was published in 1938.
In a similar study, The Millionaire Next Door by Dr Thomas J Stanley was published in 1999. Dr. Stanley had also interviewed and studied more than 500 millionaires and 11,000 high-net worth and high-income individuals.
The most revealing fact common to these studies, decades apart, is that the majority of the wealthy in the world are not born wealthy! Let this embed itself into your subconscious: the majority of the wealthy in the world are not born wealthy! In fact, Dr. Stanley found that over 80% of America's millionaires are first-generation and self-made.
What would you tell Erik Weihenmayer keeps you from achieving what you want in life? Would he believe you couldn't? Cynthia Kersey's "Unstoppable", is a must read: these stories will inspire and encourage when you have seemingly insurmountable challenges in front of you.
Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs-even though checkered by failure than to take rank with these poor spirits who neither enjoy much or suffer much. Be wise, they live in the gray twilight that know not of victory, nor defeat. Nor true sorrow nor true love.
–Theodore Roosevelt
Mark Victor Hansen makes a wonderful comment: the size of your question determines the size of your answer. Ask BIG, give BIG, receive BIG. What separates those who are achieving their dreams from those who come up short is their inner drive, their commitment, and their desire. "Life's Magic" is unleashed when, and only when, you commit to your dreams. The challenges and the apparent obstacles are Life's way of testing that commitment, your resolve. How badly do you want it?
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.
—Goethe
Countless lives clearly demonstrate the evidence that life is so arranged that your success in achieving what ever you truly want is assured. Ultimately, you cannot fail, unless you quit.
So again, I ask: If you knew you had absolutely no limitations (time, talent, connections, money, or lack of any of these; name it), how would your life differ from how you live today? If you knew you could not fail, what would you attempt? You'll never know unless you truly commit to doing it.
"Okay, I'll try." – Luke Skywalker
"No. Do, or do not. There is no trying with the Force. There is only doing." – Yoda
From "Star Wars"
Even the eagles learn to fly from the cliffs.
They unfold their wings to soar on the wins.
If you want to live like never before,
Dare your dream in their doing; Life's Magic is yours.
From Life's Magic©
William Homeier
Songwriter, Author, Speaker, Entrepreneur. William Homeier brings compassion, conviction, integrity, inspiration and encouragement forged in experience of both failure and success, that connects with individuals of all walks of life. His song "Life's Magic" is endorsed by "Chicken Soup for the Soul" co-creator Mark Victor Hansen.
