Do you know where Grenada is? I did not know it was a small island off the coast of South America until a 19-year old Grenadian, Kinari James, won the Men’s 400 Meter Dash in the London 2012 Olympic Games. What makes his accomplishment so significant is that no one in his home country has ever won a medal of any kind – EVER! As Americans, we can sometimes take for granted the winning of a gold medal, considering we have an Olympic swimming champion named Michael Phelps with 18 gold medals! One man winning a gold medal for his country brings unbelievable hope and reality to his fellow people. It shows that success can be achieved, even if no one else has done it before.
You can never be afraid to be the FIRST to do anything. Success can only come when people take unprecedented risk to make something possible to happen in their own lives. We, as African Americans, struggle at times with the reality of what has been placed in front of us. This reality struggle takes away from the beliefs and dreams that we have to accomplish so much for our lives. We get intimidated when do not see anyone in our families and neighborhoods that have done some of the things that we dream of doing. We want to go to college, but do not know how it is truly done because we have never seen anyone ever do it before. We want to start our own businesses, but since we have never seen anyone start a business before, we lack the confidence to make it happen. We even make the fatal mistake of telling other individuals about our dreams and greatest desires. That is when we realize that some people around us are not our fans or in our corners. “Well, why do you want to do that for?” “I do not think you are smart enough to make that happen!” These lines run through our heads, deterring us from our biggest dreams and hearts desires.
We have to be able to seek out knowledge, resources, and positive mentors who will help us accomplish our life goals. Even if we have never seen someone complete what we are trying to do, we have to be able to take the time to research and plan our path out so that, in the end, it will be a successful path. We cannot get scared or nervous when trials or hard times arise in the pursuit of our dreams. Those are the times we need to refocus, dig deep within, and remind ourselves of our goals. We must push to accomplish our goals no matter what comes our way. Many people will not back our ideas. It is not because they do not love or care for us, but what we try to do may be foreign to them. Since they have never taken a step to do what you are trying to accomplish, they may not know the proper way to help support or celebrate your dream. Do not let these actions from others deter you from pursuing your dreams. NO, you may not have ever seen your greatest desire happen, BUT YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN! Look deep within yourself and know that the desire and passion that you have inside of you can become a reality. Not only will your accomplishment be a great reality for yourself, but it will also encourage others around you to make their dreams happen. DIG DEEP, WORK HARD, AND NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS! Seeing is believing! What you see can come to pass when you stay focused, believe, shoot for the sky and put your PASSION INTO ACTION!
© 2012 – 2013, John C. Turner. All rights reserved.
John is an author, speaker, higher education professor and adviser that works to encourage people to live towards their greatest dreams and successes.
