Successes and Failures - "Dupree-ness!"

It is often mentioned that Abraham Lincoln failed many times in attempts to run for public office until he successfully became President. And young children are often reminded that if at first they don't succeed, try, try, again. But is it not true that the people we look to as success stories, even when they were not that successful, they were adamant in their cause? Determination carries you further than most any other attribute. One missing consideration is what one should say to the unmotivated to bring them around. Those are the success stories that are rare but need to be told. I was at a dinner this winter when one of the most articulate, bright people I have ever known stood up to tell us a little bit about himself. He began with family problems as a child, dropping out of high school, doing drugs while attending a local community college. After time to re-assess his direction and some intervention from people he respected, he ended up a Harvard graduate and a professor.

We all go through phases where we do not believe in ourselves and lose direction and focus. But those moments are rarely admitted to. Therefore, they are not discussed. While we galdly hear the stories of people's successes after much effort and pain to get there, we often lose sight of our humanity. We want to glorify who we are and feel important. A wise person once told me that the definition of confidence was "the last thought you have before reality sets in". I think we need to remember that one.

Even the people who are on their "A" game and are professional, polished, and nothing short of sensational have moments of weakness that we just don't see. And people who we notice that seem desperate and weak, who are not motivated and do not seem to care enough to get out there and make something happen for themselves - well, those folks may be the next entrpreneur, business owner, or published author. Truth is we do not know. As I sit and write this I am having the flashback to the movie You, Me and Dupree when Owen Wilson's character becomes a motivational speaker after a series of gaffes and stints at unemployment. I hear that speech in my mind of finding your "-ness"! We actually do need more of those stories that encourage the people who see no future to get a vision and to realize they can go as far as anyone else ever did.

Let's remember our humanness, that we are not perfect, and quit trying to climb over everybody in front of us. Let's take time to support others and help them catch a dream they may never before have even known they could pursue. There is more talent out there than people who believe they have talent. Maybe some action of ours will motivate someone else to be and do and think better things and be better people. I love the stories of determination, they ring true for me in many ways, under many circumstances that I have battled. But be honest with yourself. You had that moment of darkness, when you thought you could not keep moving. You once considered being useless and worthless and the value you have to society is much greater if you help others get past that wall too.