Have you ever had a moment in life where you have set your eyes on something only to lose the motivation to keep going for one reason or another?  Have you had those moments where you come up with what seems like a great idea only to have someone bring you back down to “reality” that it could not be done?  Finally, have you ever just given up on a dream and idea just because it seemed like too difficult a goal?  These are questions that I think we can all answer a big fat “YES” to.  Life can bring all kinds of directional changes to you.  It is all a part of your continue growth as an individual in search of God’s path.  Often times we come up with some big plans or ideas of something new to work toward only to have something pull us away from that goal.  This could  be any number of circumstances.

A few years back, I went on this adventure to start my own politically based internet talk radio show.  It was a weekly venture, where I recapped various issues going on in Washington or other things around the country or the world.  It was slowly gaining traction and I had a small following.  After about 6 months, I lost my Dad tragically in a car accident.  This event in my life completely took the wind out of my sails and the motivation to do anything let alone this talk show.  I tried to keep going after a couple of months off and then gave up completely.  I don’t know if that show would have amounted to anything, but who knows where it would be by this point had I not lost that motivation.

Obviously, that is something huge, tragic, and unforeseen, but it is certainly a prime example of how we cant lose motivation and belief in our own abilities.  When I began this idea of 4 Pillar Living a few months back, I was on fire for it.  I still am.  There have been days, with so much else going on in life, including my doctoral work, where I have almost felt it slip away.  I am determined, however, that this will not slip away, as I firmly believe in the direction this is headed and the message that I am out share with everyone in my writing and talking.

Norman Vicent Peale said “Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.”  Throughout our life we are faced with obstacles that try to pull us away from things that matter or that we have passion for.  You have to be able to have faith that you can do whatever it is you set your mind to do.  Have the belief in yourself that nothing can stop you from achieving your goals.  If you do so, then you WILL eventually reach the goals you set out for yourself.  Having humble, but reasonable confidence in your own powers….That also speaks very loudly.  Some people get too big for their britches and think they are absolutely unstoppable in pursuit of any goals.  While you may gain success, happiness, will be hard to come by.  Always strive to remain humble.  Remember all the work that you have to put forth to reach your goals.  Remember where you started, when it was just an idea.

Many of you saw the Kid President “Pep Talk” video I posted recently, or may have seen it on your own.  He said, “This is life people…We go air coming through your nose…We got heartbeat.  That means it’s time to do something.”  This little guy speaks so many truths about life.  You have to stand up and believe in yourself and the direction you have set on.  Don’t let the naysayers get in the way and stop you.  Try not to let circumstances pull you way by getting you distracted.  If you believe in yourself that you can meet your goals, then you will have it.

I was watching Courageous this morning with my kids before they went to school.  A great movie by the way, if you have not seen it, especially for you fathers out there.  When Adam Mitchell is giving the speech at the end, he talks about those naysayers when it comes to the resolution, which I have proudly hanging on my wall.  You will always encounter those naysayers, but you have to have enough belief in yourself to stick with what you have resolved to do.  Never let anyone tell you you’r not good enough or that you cannot achieve something.  Those are likely the very same people that would never in a million years, have the courage to do what you are striving for.  Have faith and believe and as the Lord said many time, Be strong and courageous!