I read a quote today that has really stuck with me:

“Believe in Yourself. Study the Greats. And Become Greater” – Michael Jackson.

Think about it. The people whom you admire are just people. They are people who struggled, who battled insecurities, who failed, and who got back up again. If they can do it, why can’t you? Seriously!! You MUST believe in yourself, and understand all of the possibilities and opportunities that could await you in this life. Otherwise, what’s the point? I certainly wasn’t put on this earth to play it safe, and neither were you.

Who do you admire?

As amazing as all of these people are, if I intend to become great then I must look at all of these people as my equals, not as some sort of superior God-like figure, who’s achievements are untouchable by a mere mortal such as myself. The first step is believing in yourself, and realizing that if you work hard, and dedicate yourself to a pursuit of excellence, you could surpass all of your role models. You will never know what you are capable of, unless you try.

“They have a secret” – that’s what a coach at my school said about movie stars. When you watch them, you feel like they are keeping something from you, and you want to know what it is. Have a secret. We should all have a secret.

I’ll leave you now with some memorable quotes that I read from The Best Advice I Ever Got: Lessons from Extraordinary Lives. Enjoy, and be inspired.

The surest way to lose at any endeavor is to quit. Don’t give up. Fatigue, discomfort, discouragement are merely symptoms of effort. Often success is right around the corner.
– Morgan Freeman

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
– Samuel Beckett

Just like Pinocchio, there’s a Jiminy Cricket on your shoulder too, giving the very best advice. It is you, your authentic self, the one you were in first grade, before you learned to massage your personality into a form that would suit others. Sometimes it’s hard to hear its message because all the external voices are so loud, so shrill, so adamant. Voices that loud are always meant to bully.

Do not be bullied.

Acts of bravery don’t always take place in battlefields. They can take place in your heart, when you have the courage to honor your character, your intellect, your inclinations, and, yes, your soul by listening to its clean, clear voice of direction instead of following the muddied messages of a timid world.

– Anna Quindlen