Renowned Bahamian author and theologian Dr. Myles Munroe once noted: “If purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable.” Famous author and respected psychologist David J. Schwartz said: “Believe big. The size of your success is determined by the size of your belief. Think little goals and expect little achievement. Think big goals and win big success. Remember this too! Big ideas and big plans are often easier – certainly no more difficult- than small ideas and small plans.” He also added: “Belief works this way. Belief, the I’m-positive-I-can attitude generates the power, skill and energy needed to do. When you believe I-can-do-it, the how-to-do -it develops.” Someone else said:” A dream can only be classified as a dream when it becomes an obsession. Everything else is wishful thinking.”
There is an old axiom that defines success as opportunity plus solid preparedness. I would personally suggest that preparedness needs to be solidly under girded with a strong belief in a personal dream, purpose or vision. Again, I would add here: “Where purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable.” Every professional field known to humankind is dotted with the tragic sagas of successful personalities who were qualified (and respected) in their respective areas, but lacked the proper sense of purpose, or vision, to responsibly steer their lives. They would go on to lose everything through imprudent decisions. We can all identify Businessmen, Government Officials, Doctors, Actors and Religious Ministers among others who fall into this dismal category.
To me, Obama is the epitome of the neo axiom – preparation + opportunity + vision = phenomenal success. His Autobiographies serve as an inspiration to those of us who are still stuck in the cataclysmic valley of self-indulgent pity, deluded by the injudicious statutory entitlement mentality. It should also inspire persons who are successful in their career fields to think bigger in terms of their achievements.
Obama eloquently documented his early struggles with self-identity and rejection. Trapped by a lack of purpose, he abused himself. He used drugs. He developed a chain smoking habit. He tried to fit in. He bounced from one interest to another. He had reasonable excuses to accept a life of low expectation. He was the product of an absentee father and a teenage mother. He had a funny name. He didn’t look like the people who were raising him. He felt an emotional disconnect from his White and black sides. We later observe this broken and confused individual undergo metamorphic changes as belief in self developed, and a hope in a bigger vision began to grip him. His thinking expanded. He then developed an obsession with a sense of personal destiny. Moreover, his sense of purpose became clearer.
President-elect Obama’s meteoric rise to the uppermost echelon of American (indeed World) politics still boggles the minds of many – in particular those individuals (black and white) who lived through the turbulent 1950s and 1960s. Furthermore, three years ago, this man was a practical unknown outside of Illinois. While many current environmental and social factors were instrumental in his iconic ascent, I believe his fervid sense of belief in self, a determined dedication to the discovery of personal purpose, and a heartfelt sense of obligation to a vision – larger than himself – were the foundations of his phenomenal success.
Someone once said:”Nearly all men can stand diversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, you give him power. President-elect Obama has shown time and time again through his unflappable demeanor that he can withstand diversity. Moreover, his critics can only accuse him of being too perspicacious at worst when it comes to the use of his power!
I think it is reasonable to expect many great deeds from this great man during his time as President. He is thoroughly prepared, and he does have a strong belief in a personal dream, purpose and vision, so phenomenal success is inevitable.
I sum my reflection up by using a quote from the “Personality Of This Defining Moment” himself: We are the change that we seek. We are the hope of those boys who have so little, who’ve been told that they cannot have what they dreamed, that they cannot be what they imagined.
Yes, they can.
