Most of the world’s truly great people will be forever
unknown. You and I will not hear of them and no one will
write their biographies.
Sure, I love reading President Obama's story and being
inspired by his rise from obscurity. It’s fun to follow
Donald Trump’s financial ups and downs, or marvel at Marco
Rubio's family arriving from Cuba with nothing but their
courage and willingness to work hard.
But even more, I prefer the greatness Thomas Stanley and
William Danko described in "The Millionaire Next Door." I
love that even after the financial storms of recent years,
there are millions of millionaires in world! I love that
most of them created their wealth with their own ideas,
their own hands and their own hard work. But even more, I
admire the great parents, teachers, artists, and builders
who have inspired me. The fascinating (and humbling) truth
is that anyone can live a great life!
Recently, I watched "Walk the Line," the biography
of Johnny Cash, and how close he came to wasting his
talent. It made me think of Elvis Presley, John Belushi,
Howard Hughes and thousands of others who made small
decisions that led them tragically astray. What's the
difference between the sadness of Marilyn Monroe and the
greatness of Mother Theresa?
We all have greatness within us. Every one of us is born to
make a difference, to play our part, and transform our
corner of the world. We may not become famous, but we can
live with joy and gusto and greatness. So why do so many
settle for small problems, and small lives?
I think too many of us fail to seize and use our personal
power.
Because we are not "powerful" on the world stage, we forget
that we have tremendous power in our choices. We may not be
rich or famous, but we have the power to smile, and to
persist. We have the power to live with dignity and
integrity and ambition. We have the power to be loving, to
be kind, to be generous. We have the power to create and
live our own lives.
My sense is that it helps to have a big dream. My father
always told us that if we were going to dream, we might as
well dream BIG dreams. I am convinced that what we expect
in life really does matter. I think it helps to expect the
best and focus our thoughts, our attention and our
intention on big dreams.
But I also think it's vital that we not get lost in our own
dreams. It's nice to aim high, so long as we realize that
even the biggest dreams are fulfilled one step at a time.
Donald Trump’s fancy skyscrapers are build one rivet at a
time. Oprah built her empire one meeting, one interview,
one decision at a time. "A journey of a thousand miles
starts with a single step."
Use your power! Hug someone, or call a friend. Spend an
hour reading a good book or getting some exercise with your
kids. Do it today, not tomorrow or "someday," when it's
more convenient! Take action! Use your power to skip desert
or make one more sales call. Take action to move your life
in the direction you want to go, and do it today.
Both Nelson Mandela and Marianne Williamson have been
credited with the insight that our greatest fear is not
that we are powerless, but that (in fact!) we are powerful
beyond measure. Whoever said it first, I think it's true.
You are powerful beyond measure! You have the power to
change your world any time you wish. Use your power! Give a
smile to someone who needs one. Get up a bit earlier, or
work a bit longer. Put legs under your dreams and make them
happen. Begin today, one step at a time.
unknown. You and I will not hear of them and no one will
write their biographies.
Sure, I love reading President Obama's story and being
inspired by his rise from obscurity. It’s fun to follow
Donald Trump’s financial ups and downs, or marvel at Marco
Rubio's family arriving from Cuba with nothing but their
courage and willingness to work hard.
But even more, I prefer the greatness Thomas Stanley and
William Danko described in "The Millionaire Next Door." I
love that even after the financial storms of recent years,
there are millions of millionaires in world! I love that
most of them created their wealth with their own ideas,
their own hands and their own hard work. But even more, I
admire the great parents, teachers, artists, and builders
who have inspired me. The fascinating (and humbling) truth
is that anyone can live a great life!
Recently, I watched "Walk the Line," the biography
of Johnny Cash, and how close he came to wasting his
talent. It made me think of Elvis Presley, John Belushi,
Howard Hughes and thousands of others who made small
decisions that led them tragically astray. What's the
difference between the sadness of Marilyn Monroe and the
greatness of Mother Theresa?
We all have greatness within us. Every one of us is born to
make a difference, to play our part, and transform our
corner of the world. We may not become famous, but we can
live with joy and gusto and greatness. So why do so many
settle for small problems, and small lives?
I think too many of us fail to seize and use our personal
power.
Because we are not "powerful" on the world stage, we forget
that we have tremendous power in our choices. We may not be
rich or famous, but we have the power to smile, and to
persist. We have the power to live with dignity and
integrity and ambition. We have the power to be loving, to
be kind, to be generous. We have the power to create and
live our own lives.
My sense is that it helps to have a big dream. My father
always told us that if we were going to dream, we might as
well dream BIG dreams. I am convinced that what we expect
in life really does matter. I think it helps to expect the
best and focus our thoughts, our attention and our
intention on big dreams.
But I also think it's vital that we not get lost in our own
dreams. It's nice to aim high, so long as we realize that
even the biggest dreams are fulfilled one step at a time.
Donald Trump’s fancy skyscrapers are build one rivet at a
time. Oprah built her empire one meeting, one interview,
one decision at a time. "A journey of a thousand miles
starts with a single step."
Use your power! Hug someone, or call a friend. Spend an
hour reading a good book or getting some exercise with your
kids. Do it today, not tomorrow or "someday," when it's
more convenient! Take action! Use your power to skip desert
or make one more sales call. Take action to move your life
in the direction you want to go, and do it today.
Both Nelson Mandela and Marianne Williamson have been
credited with the insight that our greatest fear is not
that we are powerless, but that (in fact!) we are powerful
beyond measure. Whoever said it first, I think it's true.
You are powerful beyond measure! You have the power to
change your world any time you wish. Use your power! Give a
smile to someone who needs one. Get up a bit earlier, or
work a bit longer. Put legs under your dreams and make them
happen. Begin today, one step at a time.
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