Believing In Possibility

Recently we witnessed history for one man, a people, a nation and for the world. Barak Obama won the required number of delegates needed to be named the presidential nominee for the Democratic Party. The significance of this achievement, in view of the challenges faced, is staggering.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of slave trade abolition. Seventy years later, slavery was abolished. However, even with these milestones, the mountain remained tall. People of African decent continued to fight against oppression. It was not until the civil rights movement, during the 1960's, that a true end to segregation was pursued and fought for. Formal segregation did not end until the 1970's; a cause championed by the likes of Martin Luther King who gave his life for the fight, and the dream, of a people. At the Democratic convention this autumn, Barak Obama will officially be sworn in on the exact day, 45 years after Dr. King delivered his immortal "I've got a dream" speech.  If you want to be inspired, and be taken back into history, you can watch his speech by clicking on this link.

So what is the lesson from all this? The lesson is belief. Throughout our lives we are challenged to overcome the constant voice in our heads, created from a lifetime of experience that says: it may not be possible for you. The greatest power we have over this voice is our ability to experience change and growth in our own lives. Every obstacle overcome, or new triumph experienced, creates a stronger thread of belief which allows us to take another step towards our dreams. Personal triumph is the greatest form of motivation to pursue new possibilities in the future. However, there is another tool at your disposal that can shine light on new possibilities for you as well.  

It is at your disposal everyday in the library, bookstore, on the Internet, TV, or in conversations, if you seek it out. I am talking about the stories of others who have overcome great challenges that allow you to see the path taken by those who have gone before you. To this day, those who climb Mount Everest are inspired by the story of a man named Sir Edmond Hillary who first set foot on the summit on May 23rd, 1953.  There is more to the story than the successful achievement of his climb.  After his first attempt to climb Everest failed, Sir Edmond Hillary spoke to a university in the U.S.  Before taking his place at the podium, he walked in front of a rather large picture of Everest, which was the backdrop for the stage.  With a clenched fist on an outstretched arm he shouted out. "You are as big as you will ever get, but I will continue to grow!" 

Examples of past triumphs help us to believe in what is possible. Your dreams are possible. Your thoughts can become your reality.  Every person on this earth has the potential to declare, "I have a dream", and to breathe life into it.