Do you remember when you learned how to ride a bike? I must have been 5 years old. We were visiting my grandparents in South Jersey and I was riding a brand new bike with training wheels.
My Dad decided to take the training wheels off, but I was too afraid to ride, so Dad told me he would hold the back of my bike steady while I rode.
I jumped on and he held the back of the seat running behind me. At some point he let go, but I had no idea. When I turned around and looked back to be sure he was there, he was half way down the block looking at me with a smile on his face.
I was riding on my own. It was an exhilarating feeling. I felt like I could do anything. I felt and believed then that I had endless possibilities. In fact at the time I was sure of it. There was nothing I could not achieve.
Fast forward to junior high school, it was probably one of the toughest times of my life. I was a quiet kid and had a hard time talking to people or speaking up for myself. I had friends, but I was definitely not considered one of the popular kids.
In fact, it wasn’t until high school and then college that I began to believe once more that I could do or be anything I wanted.
For some reason I just started believing. I believed the possibilities were endless. And they were. Anything I set my mind to do, I made happen.
And as I moved into my college years, I ran for president of the Black Student Union and won. I ran for Vice-president of the Black Caucus and I won. I joined Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity which opened up endless possibilities socially, scholastically and professionally.
I was thoroughly engaged in the experience. However, as I moved through life, it took its toll. As I worked harder and harder to succeed and improve professionally, I eventually realized I didn’t feel as if the possibilities were endless.
In fact, I believed that there were no more possibilities for me. I couldn’t see further than what was right in front of me. I was stuck and couldn’t see my way out.
I couldn’t figure out what possibilities were there. I lost my vision. I began to wonder what caused me to feel so different about my options at various times in my life.
What happened to the idea of endless potential I knew I had?
I realized my thoughts had changed. During the times I felt anything was possible I truly believed that they were.
And when I stopped accepting the idea there was still much for me to accomplish, my actions changed.
Many times when we reach a certain age we believe there is nothing left for us to do. No more mountains to climb. No more races to run.
However, our belief allows us to stay stuck in a rut. Who says because we are now adults life is done and we can continue to coast along?
Who says that we have no more to achieve?
Now I understand the key is the belief that anything we want to bring about is possible. However, an important component to that belief is taking inspired action.
Without taking action we can believe all we want, but we will remain exactly where we are.
Inspired action is motivated, enthusiastic accomplishment. Our action then activates our faith and faith is everything when we want to realize a goal or create a completely different existence.
Assurance and confidence that we are still here to live life to its fullest and enjoy all that we can in the process. We can still make a difference.
So what inspired action will you take today? What do you believe you can achieve?
Remember….you have endless possibilities.