"The Chief Progress To The Human Race Is The Human Race."
-Don Marquis (1878-1937)
"You can never rise above the image that you have of yourself in your own mind."
- C. Elijah Bronner
How many times do we assume something won't or doesn't work, someone won't or can't love, that we never have been and aren't appreciated, when in truth it does, they can, and we are?
The next time you feel like being bitter, resentful and angry --- even if the circumstances justify these emotions --- consider the inspiring words of a man who, after 27 years of imprisonment by his government, had every right to be bitter, resentful and angry:
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?'
Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
These are words of Nelson Mandela, who gave this inaugural speech in 1994, after being elected President of South Africa.
He became the leader of the government that had for so long sought to take away his voice.
This man had every right to be bitter, resentful and angry at the world.
How dare he inspire us to greatness? Shouldn't he have instead approved our sloth?
After all, is anyone really appreciated for what he does, regardless of the extent of the sacrifice?
Nelson Mandela confirms that you are expected to be great.
Nothing less.
You can even be more than great if you decide to ignore the non-existent limitations that everyone else can see.
What kind of glasses are they wearing?
I know I'm gorgeous, brilliant and talented.Simply put, I am fabulous.
What about you?
By C. Elijah Bronner
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why is it? Why do so many people lose their beliefs and passion through the daily routines and grudges of life? Is it really that they don’t believe they can do it or are they afraid to see if they can, or even afraid of what may happen if their dreams actually come true?
Believe it or not, people actually have a fear of success. It is more common than arachnophobia. It just isn’t talked about as much. It is more poisonous than any spider you will come into contact with though. It will slowly drip into your veins until every drop of life is taken leaving you with nothing but “I didn’t live up to my potential” on your death bed.
We all know we only have one life to live. Now you may believe in reincarnation but we do not know it to be true. We DO know that there is only one life. We also have heard to make it the best you can I don’t know how many times. So what are you waiting for? Why are you not going out and trying to be what you want and live the way you want and see the things you want? I aint talkin’ ‘bout working hard in a cubby or in construction unless that is your dream job. I don’t know about you but I have never heard I child say “I want to be a bricklayer when I grow up.”
Do you think you are not good enough? Not deserving and less worthy than say Bill Gates? Ok, not everyone can come up with the next best things that will change the world forever…but how much money do you need to see the world and do the things you deserve? Me…it will only cost me roughly $100k/ year to afford the lifestyle I desire. That is really achievable. So don’t sell yourself short. Go out and make the small baby step differences that will grow over time and change your life forever. Don’t be afraid to succeed. You are worthy and deserving. God made you to be a success.
“Do things today that most won’t, so that tomorrow you have a life that most don’t.” Don’t wait till you are lying on your death bed feeling guilty and worthless and think your life was wasted. I promise you that it will hurt your family to think you feel like you were a waste just as much as it hurts you. If not for you, do it for something or someone bigger than you.
A good friend of mine said this and it has rung constantly in my ears for 3 years now.
“It is a blessing to be a blessing.”
Go be a blessing.
