Sophisticated Ignorance
Musings and thoughts on the world today...
On Potential
Long ago in a place called the Bronx, Sonny told C, “The saddest thing in life is wasted talent.”
More than just a line from a movie [A Bronx Tale for the uninitiated], the quote speaks volumes about people who bare witness to those who fail to capitalize upon their God given gifts.
Everybody isn’t going to have a wicked jumpshot or the ability to flip syllables and verbs quicker than others roll herb. What comes naturally to you may be something you don’t even view as a gift. Too many people look over their own talents because they don’t know how to harness them or how that skill will help them ascend to new heights.
If you can cook, imagine all of the places that cooking can take you. Many world-renown chef’s had to start somewhere. [A problem in the black community is that many talents that people have aren’t seen as their ticket because there aren’t many, sometimes any, black people in that profession who they can look up to.]
Its regrettable any time that there is an able-bodied individual who has the means before them to accomplish great things but squander opportunities and possibilities by resting on their laurels. The thought of being comfortable in situations that you want to change is self-destruction.
Never rest. Though it may be a marathon, life is still a race in which you cannot stop running until you’re clear ahead of the competition. The competition is not other individuals, but obstacles and situations that would weigh you down and make achieving your goals more difficult.
The toughest obstacles to get over are self-imposed. Your mind is a strong weapon, whether it be used by you or against you. If the problem is a problem of motivation, all you have to do is imagine how bad your situation could be if you did nothing. Inactivity is as destructive as going the wrong way down a one-way street.
Motivation is different for everyone. For some, it could be envisioning success. For others, it may be the opposite. Some people have to think about the worst possible situation they could be in to kick their asses into gear. Whatever it takes to drive you, do it.
Pictures of family, goals, affirmations should be posted where you can see them every day. Speak positively about what you want to accomplish.
More than everything, don’t let yourself stop until the race is won.
