Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Four Things to Believe About Yourself

“Life's battles don't always go to the stronger or faster man.  But sooner or later the man who wins is the man who thinks he can.”
– Vince Lombardi
(1913-1970) Coach

There are two schools of extreme thought people have when it comes to thinking about who we are.  One is that you are the center of the universe and you have to think of yourself first.  You and your happiness is all that matters and forget the rest of mankind.  The other is just as odd, it is that you are a worm, a nothing and you are just here to live till you die.  That it is wrong and immoral for you to think of yourself and you must suffer for others in order to have any value in this life at all.

                Whether it be a big ego or a sense of worthlessness, the wrong thinking about yourself is damaging to you and to those around you.  In Scouting we strive to see that young men have a health and honest view of themselves and of other people.  You cannot see the world from a positive light unless you can first see yourself for who you were created to be.  Here are four things that we need to believe about ourselves in order to be a healthy and productive person.

1)  You have value
                Each and every one of us was put on this planet for a purpose.  God (who I believe has created us all) did not have a quota to fill nor are you just some biological happening.  You have a purpose and that purpose is good and important.  You are here to make a difference which makes you of great value to the rest of the world.  Success-minded people not only see this but recognize that everyone else was created with a purpose and have great value.  Success-minded people respect and encourage that value in themselves and in others.

2)  God gave you a dream
                So just what is the purpose you were born for?  I believe that is what we call a dream.  In each of us there is something we have always wanted to do and be.  It comes to us when we dream, when changes happen in our life or when we have time to day dream about what we would do if life was perfect.  You were meant to achieve that dream.  Embrace it and go after it with all that is in you.  After all, if the Creator of the universe gave you a dream, how can you fail?

3)  You can do this
                The whole world can believe in you but it makes little difference until you believe in you.  Know that you can achieve your dreams if you are willing to give it all you have, stay with it and make it happen.  You have to want the dream in order to make the dream come into reality.  Race car driver, Mario Andretti said, "Desire is the key to motivation, but it's the determination and commitment to unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek."

4)  You were born to be great
                "You were born to win," said Zig Ziglar, "but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win."  Understand that you were not created to be mediocre or to just get by.  You were created to make a difference and to do the extraordinary.  You have no idea what wonderful things you can do until you step out and try.  Go for the gold in life and never settle for anything but excellence from yourself.

                You matter!  You matter to the world and to yourself.  Remember to be your best, love God, have good manners, achieve the unknown and change your world.


John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Life Coach and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at http://www.growthcenter.net or www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2014 John Patrick Hickey

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