It is often an overlooked fact that whatever dominates our thinking causes our experiences. If we think we are poor, we are likely to remain poor. If we believe that lack and limitation is our lot in life, we will generally experience that kind of condition. When we realize, however, that life offers a great abundance and that we can intentionally succeed in whatever we set out to accomplish, we generally experience that too. So it is not surprising to find that every “rags-to-riches” story revolves around the discovering of ones self worth and the vast possibilities in life.

“In the battle of life, it is not the critic who counts; nor the one who points out how the strong person stumbled, or where the doer of a deed could have done better. The credit belongs to the person who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; who does actually strive to do deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotion, spends oneself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at worst, if he or she fails, at least fails while daring greatly. Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those timid spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.” Theodore Roosevelt

In each of us is a divinely placed potentiometer, specifically designed and individually calibrated. This marvelous sensing device accurately measures our personal achievements and accomplishments and compares them to our potential and capabilities. Simply put, each of us inherently, by this comparison, knows just how we stack up to our abilities. Frustrations, discouragement, depression, lack of ambition or belief are common indicators of low readings from that amazing sensory system.

In today’s society, there is a continuous rush of distractions, occupations and obligations. Two of the most dramatic elements of contemporary life are its ever-increasing pace and the constant and ubiquitous flight into entertainment, which distracts our attention and obscures the feelings needed to accurately assess our sensory system. An individual cannot find any quiet time because time its self has speeded up. Time is aways full, always oriented towards a future, and we are continually pulled into this vortex of pressing engagement, responsibilities and commitments. So it is easily understood how we can be caught up, as Stephen R. Covey says, “in the thick of thin things.”

Life is a process of growth, and learning. The aim of the learning and growing process is not just to become fatter, richer and more experienced, but rather to become more attuned, more aware, more compassionate and more in harmony with our purposes in life. “To be”, as the US Army slogan suggests, “all that you can be.” 

To begin the journey of self-discovery, we must slow down and face the habitual patterns, which get ingrained and become second nature to us and become our restrictions and limitations of the past. Of course, this may require the elimination of negative influences from our life, and could possibly require the interruption of some of our associations. This will provide the time to ponder likes and dislikes, and those things that give a sense of purpose and joy, while allowing our mental capabilities to focus on the possibilities without limiting distractions. It will help us define our needs and interests, while emphasizing our talents and capabilities. Finding out what our strengths are while we analyze their importance in our society. Continuing with this process until we can honestly answer, Who am I, Why am I here and Am I becoming what I need to be? I cannot promise you that this experience will be easy, or pleasant for that matter, but I can promise you that it will certainly be worth it.