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Monday, March 24, 2008

The Ultimate Battleground

Success is 20% inspiration and 80% perspiration. Success will demand that you take risks. Success is 100% determination. Success is talent. Success is who you know. Success is timing. Success has nothing to do with talent and everything to do with luck.

The contradicting list could go on and on. We all are ready to pounce on the newest craze, statement, routine, book, talk show, etc... that will lead us to success. It is human nature to want to be successful at what we do. We want successful homes, jobs, faith, friendships, health, relationships and countries.

So why is there so much failure?

The ultimate battleground is our mind.

If we truly believe that we have a chance for success, we open our minds to exploring new concepts and avenues. If we believe in our families, our faith, our health, our jobs - we will work with the energy of 10 men to do whatever is necessary to be successful. If we don't believe we have a chance, we lose heart and our attempts at success will be less than they should.

Should we be a 100% positive person - never considering failure?

No. That would be dangerous.

The Bible tells us to consider the requirements before we attempt any job. It may sound like I'm contradicting myself, but I'm not. The key is not to avoid all facts about the situation. The key is "believing" that you can overcome those facts.

Unfortunately when anyone has experienced failure, those voices in our head keep us busy. Have you ever attempted to reach for the gold only to be stopped by "voices" telling you why it won't happen? You aren't pretty enough, smart enough, good enough. Only the best Christians are blessed. Only people with money receive those invitations, opportunities, considerations. You may have all the qualifications but the voices tell you that no one will listen, care, hire or appreciate what you do.

Isn't it strange that most of the time failure doesn't come at the hands of others - it comes through our own disbelief and those voices that keep nagging at us until we give up? I could avoid this entire matter and just tell you to do whatever feels good or to decide on your own to listen to those voices....but then....what do I do with the following people?

About 25 years ago I was watching a New Year's Eve concert and a young man took the stage. Tony Melendez shared the story of how his mother responded to a challenge by purchasing a guitar for Tony. What made the challenge so amazing was that Tony was born without arms. His life story is amazing. You can find it at http://www.tonymelendez.com/ Known around the world for playing the guitar with his feet, he was thrust into the limelight when he performed for Pope John Paul II, who, moved by Tony's performance, rushed into the audience to embrace him.



I couldn't remember Tony's full name so I googled "guitar player without arms." Google presented 2,030,000 sites. Some of those are comment blogs but I found many that were musicians or speakers without appendages. One amazing young man has no arms or legs. Nick Vujicic is an amazing man to watch.



Nick Vujicic, No Arms, No Legs, No Worries! Part 1 Of 3 - The best video clips are here


So what am I trying to tell you? Consider the costs, consider your needs and when you are sure that it should be done - never listen to the voices in your head. Never surrender success to defeat in the ultimate battleground.

Instead, remember these two men and remind yourself that when we believe in ourselves and the potential that God has placed within us - nothing is impossible!

God loves you,

Debbie

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