We'll start off with our "highs and lows" and get into some important societal survival skills and general goings on of the TwinCities and neighboring communities with news about the rest of the world here and there. Participation is simple. Just give us your highs and lows either in the comments of the article or on twitter by trending #ProverbialWisdoms or tweeting to me @E_HowardCo.
High: Receiving an incredible outpouring of support
Low: Unfortunately, this will be my last contribution to the YourVoices Blog Community
***Getting Out of Your Own Way***
Over and over again, you have decided what you wanted to do. Over and over again you have convinced yourself that pursuit of your interests is not worth the effort. Les Brown during a presentation told the story of two young friends walking on a frozen lake in the winter. When one friend fell into a crack in the ice the other ran to a nearby tree, took a large and heavy branch then broke through the ice essentially saving the person's life. When adults arrived they questioned how a small child could have the strength to climb the tree, break the branch, break the ice and save their friend. A neighbor replied saying it was able to be done because there was no one around to convince the child otherwise. There was no one to say that it was not possible - so it was easy to believe that it was possible.
In order to meet your aspirations you will need to keep the kind of company that encourages you to make things happen that others may not see as possible. Stop using your energy to convince yourself of your own inabilities. Make use of that energy in taking steps to achieve your goals and bring your vision to fruition.
In 2012 I coordinated a Black History Month Science Fair with no experience and little knowledge of the Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) field. I set the goal of distributing $1,500 in scholarships at a competition that highlights the talents of our youth and honors the contributions of the Black community to the STEM field. There was a large number of people who thought it was a good idea but only a slim few who took it upon themselves to actually support the initiative. Once I made a clear decision to move forward with the concept things fell into place and I was able to make something from nothing. This example goes to show that it is possible to create things with just an idea as long as you have the support.
If you don't believe you have all the support that you need - think again. Farrah Gray said there is no idea so stupid that you can't get a million people to buy it. Seek encouragement in family, friends, acquaintances, authority figures, books, speakers and coaches. By the time you have thoroughly researched and engaged your resources you will find the support that you need.
Get out of your way and get to work.
