The People We Are Becoming

We all have a power within us that will lead our life in the direction that we so choose, however sometimes our inner power has been suppressed due to life situations, other times is may be because we never knew it existed. At anytime we have the ability to unleash our inner power, and develop it, permitting it to be our life’s guide.

Each of us possess an inner powerful force, learning how to ignite it, is our goal.

First, believe in yourself. We must believe that we are far more capable of accomplishing a challenge than we give credit for. It is too often that we prepare ourselves mentally to fail by coaxing our mind with excuses; “I can’t do this because of him or her”, “I can’t do this because of this or that”. Our mind is a reflex organ, simply put; it automatically and involuntarily fills our head with millions of thoughts during the day. Therefore, if we consistently inundate are thoughts with excuses such as “I can’t”, chances are we won’t, however if we consistently fill our thoughts with “I can”, chances are we will.  With us having the ability to control our thoughts, we have the ability to fill our mind with powerful messages, igniting the power within. We must remember that everything we think creates the life that we intend for ourselves.

Second, never be afraid to push yourself to the limits.  Some of the most successful individuals would not have attained their level of success if they did not push themselves.  In fact, when first presented with a task, many of those successful individuals may not have known how they would accomplish it, but they possessed willingness and the drive to do whatever it took to succeed.  We too have the ability and strength to achieve, to go after what we want, but we have to choose to do so. We must push ourselves to challenge obstacles, to learn, and furthermore to grow.

Our power within is our heart, courage, and our willingness to succeed. This power is our life’s  guide. It’s our inner muscles that we must constantly shape and form. . We must build our inner muscles as we would build our outer muscles, with routine and dedication.  We must condition our minds to act on strengthening this ability, so that we may react to opportunities that will present themselves.

At some point in our lives we developed a misconception that great leaders were born to be great leaders, they weren‘t made into great leaders. Perhaps it was a part of their genetic makeup. These individuals sprung from certain X and Y chromosomes, and as a result they naturally progressed into who they are today.

Leaders are not born to be leaders. Leaders are made into leaders.

There is a significant reason why there are many statues and monuments of Abraham Lincoln throughout this country and others. Yes, Abraham was an amazing president. He was aware of his own weakness, he controlled his emotions, he shared credit for his success and he shared blame for failure, but before he was given the opportunity to walk in those shoes, he was nothing  more than a meek young man that had an intellectual curiosity about society. His desire in life was to have more than that of a farm job for a tall, lanky, strong man. To tackle his aspiration he quietly studied, and eagerly became an artist and master with words.  Lincoln who said that “ I was born, and have ever remained in the most humble walks of life, I have no wealth or popular  relations,’ every man is said to have a peculiar ambition” Lincoln’s was none other than being truly esteemed of fellow men, by rendering his self worth of their esteem.  This ambition, this determination, would allow Lincoln to become the leader he was destined to become.

Leadership is not only the act of leading others; leadership is also the desire of leading oneself. We all have the ability to become individual leaders, but it takes one single step. One single step every single day that will one day turn into two steps, eventually putting us just one single step closer to our destination.

1. Have respect for yourself as well as respect for others.  It is very important for us to have a sense of dignity. We must be gracefully in our way of living. It is also very important to understand that respect should not be freely given. It is an area that must be earned. However if we learn how to have dignity more than likely we will attract dignified circumstances.
2. Be Humble. Humility plays a vital role for leaders.  It’s removing all of the personal gains from the position of leadership. Far too often we believe the job description as a leader reads – Now hiring pushy and aggressive leaders to wear the title I AM THE BOSS. Respected leaders are most likely the individuals that are leading without a title. These individuals are spending countless time in helping to accomplish the needs of others.
3. Passion- As a leader we must have passion.  Passion is a self generated tool. We can ignite our own passion, and as an individual leader with passion we can also help to ignite others. Wake up every day excited. Whether we are excited about school, or work, it is vital that we have passion. Passion is contagious. The passion that we have within us is fuel. It’s the burning desire to say let’s march, let’s go after what we want.

 To succeed you must be a leader, if only a leader of one person: you.

There is a reason why this quote is incessantly referenced throughout the internet, books, and movies.   How often have you heard, why can’t certain circumstances be like this, or why can’t he/she do that?  This statement is recited more times than not, but what does it mean.

We must first understand that each and every one of us is a foundation. We are a house, a building, a cathedral, forever growing and changing. However, we tend to take more notice in the changes, and weaknesses of others domiciles and little notice in ours. The festering question of what’s wrong with this person or situation, and or when will or why someone can’t do something to change it, begins to ponder in our minds.  Some individuals may continue to move through their journey in life without fully recognizing that they can be that change.

To be the change we must first look within our foundation….ourselves, and ask, what change are we looking for, and do I demonstrate the change that I desperately seek.  If we seek more pleasant and kinder individuals, ask yourself “Am I”, if not, then be the change.

If there is a change that we want to make within a certain situation; individuals at our school, co- workers at our job, or youth at risk in our communities, then understand that your foundation can be that change. Don’t sit back and wait on others do it, when it can start with one person…YOU. 

When one person dedicates a small amount of time a week to be a change in a situation or someone’s life, it likely becomes a domino effect, with the recipient of that change now having the motivation to be the change for another individual or situation.  

There are times in which we think our current circumstance will not allow us to be the change.  Some may believe they are not educated enough or wealthy enough , when in fact, whatever level they are at today, is just enough to give to someone else. For example, if you are a high school student wanting to see a change in the world, then volunteer at a middle school or an organization that supports students within the middle school age range. You’ve already completed your middle school studies, so you’re well equipped to handle this task.  This is likewise for middle school students.  There are plenty of children who are younger than you in organizations such as foster homes, who would love to have a youth read a Disney Book to them. Research these organizations within your community, and make it a family event with your parents.   

Lastly we may not all be prepared with finances to pour into organizations, but we each may have the muscles to build and/or paint a home, the voice to read a book, and the hands to pour food at a local charitable community throughout the year, and holiday seasons.  

Each of us, no matter what stage in our life is equipped with enough tools to be a positive change in this world.

BE THE CHANGE