A life is what we make of it -
I did not start out to be a history buff; however I did become a Winston Churchill fan with the 2017 movie, Darkest Hour. This is about England’s response to Adolf Hitler’s German movement to initiate actions to eliminate Jews from Germany and establish a New Order to counter what he saw as the injustice of the post-World War I international order.
Winston Churchill saw what Adolf Hitler and Germany were doing in Europe; and he knew that Hitler needed to be stopped. Upon his appointment to be Britain’s Prime Minister, he said, “I felt as if I were walking with destiny, and that all my past life had been but a preparation for this hour and this trial.” Nevertheless, his election did not come easily. There was an overwhelming negativity surrounding him even within his own party. Churchill was the only man the opposition party would accept following the resignation of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. And without the leadership of Winston Churchill, the world would look very different today.
You are exactly where you should be, right now
The same is as true for me as it is for you. Every one of our life experiences has prepared us for exactly what’s in front of us at this moment. You wouldn’t be where you are without the successes, and even more the obstacles that you have overcome! No one ever says, I have achieved all that I am because I have never failed. Failure is integral to our success.
What are those most special moments that have defined you?
What things inspire you?
I like stories of the underdog. In fact, I recently re-watched the movie of that name. The Underdog is an inspirational story of Kurt Warner who wanted to become a professional football quarterback more than anything else. Most importantly, he believed in himself enough to put in the long term effort, even when his first opportunity was met with unpreparedness and rejection. There were many significant obstacles to reaching his dream - He didn’t start on his Division II college football team, Northern Iowa and he was un-drafted out of college. He then played a completely different form of football - he played 3 seasons in the Arena Football League (AFL). All this happened before getting his “big break.” Then, and only then, did he make the St. Louis Rams as a back-up quarterback. Then it really happened! Due to an injury to the starting quarterback, he was given the opportunity to really play. He led the team to the first Super title, and earned league and Super Bowl MVP honors. He is considered the NFL’s greatest un-drafted player, and is the only un-drafted quarterback to lead his team to a Super Bowl victory.
There’s the story of Venus Williams and Serena Williams, two phenomenal tennis players from the same family becoming two of the greatest ever to play the game. Underdogs as well.
There are more stories. There is, more importantly, your story.
What special moments mark your climb to achieve your greatest dreams?
Without a doubt, those that achieve greatness did not do it without considerable effort. Many times, we look at people that achieve these spectacular levels, and may think they are so “lucky.” When we look below the surface, we realize that their “overnight success” was years in the making. And yours will be too!
When is the best time to plant a tree? Answer: twenty years ago. Second best answer: Today
Get started on creating your special moments today!