Print“Whatever you are, be a good one.”
Abraham Lincoln
Archive for category Personal Growth
“Those who are lifting the world upward and onward are those who encourage more than criticize.”
Elizabeth Harrison
“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”
Mahatma Gandhi
“If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can’t, you’re right.”
Mary Kay Ash
Empowerment is the ability to take action on your goals.
Shihan J. Levy, M.Ed.
“A good plan is like a road map: it shows the final destination and usually the best way to get there.”
H. Stanley Judd
Discover Who You Really Are
Jan 29
“Live with passion.”
- Tony Robbins
Be who you were born to be. You were destined for greatness from the start. It is absolutely critical that you believe with all your heart that you are destined to be great, and to do great things. You have the power to influence the world around you by discovering who you really are. There is something inside of you that defines you to you. That is the thing which makes you stand out from all others; the thing which only you can do the way you do it.
My thing is empowering others. Here’s the truly incredible thing… by empowering others, I become empowered myself. In other words, by doing the thing that I am DESIGNED to do, I feed the engine that does the doing. My passion for the thing that is unique to me, is the fuel that causes me to continue to do it. And it continuously enhances my ability to do it better, because I am self motivated to want to do it better. That is also what makes it something that I can’t not do.
That is why it is imperative that each individual, each soul search for the something they were built for. It is my absolute belief that each of us is brilliant at something, and that it is not only our privilege, but our responsibility to pursue and engage in that something, until we become it. Then we must share it with the world in some form of useful service.
If you have not yet discovered what that thing is, your first order of business is to do that. By the way, the thing you are the most motivated to do (even in your spare time) may change as you reach different stages of your life. That is perfectly ok. There is no rule that says you may only be passionate about one thing. It is very likely though, that the things for which you have the most enthusiasm will probably have a common theme.
My common theme is EMPOWERMENT, but it manifests itself in different ways. In my martial arts studio, empowerment comes in the forms of a fitter and healthier body, a calmer and more focused mind, and an inner self that is disciplined and confident. In my karate league, empowerment comes in the form of testing yourself against an opponent for the sole purpose of improving yourself. In my public speaking, empowerment comes in the form of giving people of all ages real tools for unlocking their own potential.
Your common theme may be something different. I frequently help my personal coaching clients discover for themselves what it is that gets them up in the morning. Some discover it earlier than others. My best friend growing up knew from the time we were in about fourth or fifth grade that he would be a doctor. Guess what he is today? Yep, he’s a doctor.
Others don’t discover until they are much later in life what their true passion is. And sadly, some, for fear of criticism or some other form of paralysis never discover their true purpose in life. Even worse, some know deep inside what it is, but never act on it, and take it with them to the grave.
My philosophy is: get in all the living you can, while you are alive. There will be no do-overs at the end. And the best way to live up to your potential in life, is to do the thing you really want to do, and to do it all out. (Disclaimer: this does not include things that are against the law or that intentionally damage other people, or the earth.) That aside, you are a genius. There is something that nobody else can do like you. Stop silencing that inner voice that is screaming at you, discover what it is, and do it. Use it as a way to improve yourself, and share it with others so that they may do the same. You and the universe will be glad you did.
Photo: *eddie
Quote of the Week – 1/24/10
Jan 24
“Give me a stock clerk with a goal and I’ll give you a man who will make history. Give me a man with no goals and I’ll give you a stock clerk.”
J.C. Penney
This is an enjoyable parody of the popular ‘reality’ type shows where people compete to be deemed ‘ok’ by a panel of judges they seem to admire and fear. I admit, I am a fan of American Idol, although my schedule does not let me watch it that often. Jumping right on that bandwagon, it seems that every possible field has some version of this show format, where people tremble before a group of power crazed judges, hoping they can fit in.
Clearly, those in this video are good sports, and are mocking this process, while acknowledging the ‘guido’ stereotype so often portrayed in ‘wiseguy’ movies. I could not help but chuckle along – the point of this video, clearly – while also enjoying the Brooklyn/North Jersey vernacular, as I was born in Brooklyn, and raised in Jersey.
My other thought was that too many people never take the time to ask themselves who they really are, and would rather spend their time trying hopelessly to fit in, or be like some self-concocted image of somebody else. Here is a concept: try being yourself! There is nothing interesting about a second rate imitation. By the way, identification with a group does not mean you are a clone. You can be both part of a group, and also maintain your own personal identity. The point I am making, is that whoever you are, and whatever group or groups you belong to, you should find your own voice and style.
If it is your dream to become a ‘guido’, or a singer, or a designer, or whatever, do it in a way that is unique to you. This is true for everything. Don’t try to sound like another singer, try to sound like you. Don’t be a ridiculous Sopranos clone, do it your own way. There is a huge difference in the price of an original painting, versus an imitation. The same is true for a Gucci handbag. The same is true for you.
You will be much more interesting when you discover who you are, and be that without apologizing, rather than a cheap imitation of anyone else.
This is an incredible example of finding one’s purpose in the world. In this case the one finding her purpose is a dog. She was initially being trained as a service dog for a home-bound disabled person. Although she started off stellar, her hunting drive was too strong, and made her unable to work in that capacity. By following the natural tendencies of the dog, however, her trainers realized that she had an incredible ability to work as a service dog for a teenage disabled surfer. She not only took to it instantly, but loved it, and excelled at it. Imagine, rather than trying to pigeon-hole the dog into something for which she was clearly not suited, they allowed her to be herself, and discovered her personal area of genius.
Imagine if we as humans did the same for ourselves. We so often limit ourselves in the name of being ‘reasonable’, only to leave our true area of genius completely untapped. Most people are so terrified of what others will say about them if they dare step outside of their box, that they never activate the potential that lies within them. It has been often said that you can’t put a square peg in a round hole, or vice versa, but that is precisely what most people do with their lives.
On the other hand, here is a dog who, with the help of a few caring individuals, discovers her true calling in life. Not only that, but she inspires and empowers the lives of others by the simple beauty of being what she was designed to be.
Have you considered what you were designed to be? Are you making the best use of your natural talents? Are you doing what you love to do? I would love to hear your comments on this subject.
P.s. watch the video, it is truly remarkable!
