By the age of 16, as a member of the United States Women's Gynmastics team, an African-American female had dreamed, pushed, strived, sacrificed and worked so hard that she became the first African-American female to earn a gold medal in both the individual and team all-around competitions at the same Olympics.
Gabrielle Christina Victoria Douglas started her formal gymnastics training at age 6 and just two years later went on to become 2004's Virginia State Champion. That made her 8 years old. 8!! She became so-o-o-o determined and focused on achieving her dream that at the age of 14, Gabrielle left behind her Virginia Beach home and her family to train with her coach so that she could hone her skills. Did I mention that this coach lived five states away? Oh...and that the state she moved to was Iowa? Iowa...not the state of California or New York or even the District of Columbia. (I don't even plan to visit Iowa less move there for any period of time, even if I could live there rent free.) Iowa?? OMG!
This young lady was raised by a single mother, a single mother who has admitted that at times it became very difficult financially to keep Gabby in gymnastics - but she did. Oh, and did I mention that because of Gabby's Olympian success this young lady is now on the front of the Kellogg's cornflake box AND covers of TIME and PEOPLE magazines?? I'll be buying that cornflakes box with her picture on it as soon as it hits the stores!!! She even has a personal official website - www.GabrielleDouglas.com WOW!!
At the age of 16, Gabby flashes a million dollar smile, has the poise, skill and confidence to perform on the world stage. I don't think I'd even been out of my home state at the age of 16. (Just kidding.) Gabby has earned and won the most prized possession in women's gymnastics, the Olympian all around gold medal!
THIS YOUNG LADY IS AWESOME AND AWE-INSPIRING!
Gabby has made history, beat the best athletes in the world, brought honor to her country, her family and herself. And the bloggers, tweeters, face bookers and others are commenting on her HAIR? For real??
UNBELIEVABLE!!!!
Peace
Michele
Monday, August 13, 2012
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU KNEW YOU COULD NOT FAIL??
The Olympics exemplifies the extremes to which people can push their minds and bodies in order to achieve and succeed. When Michael Phelps swam his first lap at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, did he know he would go on to become the most medaled Olympian? Did Kimberly Rhode know that when she qualified for her first Olympic event in 1996 at the age of 17, she would become the first American athlete to win five medals in an individual event in five consecutive Olympic games? How about Missy Franklin swimming 200 meters and then 20 minutes later competing again and winning again? These are examples of athletes competing and excelling in the world's sports arena. What would you do in your arena if knew you could not fail?
Would you leave that mind numbing job and start a foundation sparked from a passion? Would you start your own business and continue to make cold calls until you had acquired enough customers to make it a success? Would you pack up and leave a relationship that you know is not good for you and work on the life you really want for yourself?
What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
Would you run for leader of the most influential country in the free world when people can't even pronounce your name and your middle name is Hussein? Would you impress upon a son the importance of learning how to read and that son then grows up to become one of the most important surgeons in the world...and you don't even know how to read yourself?
What would you do??
Would you apologize to someone you've offended regardless of her response? Would you pack up and move to Paris for two years and just make it work? What about pulling yourself up from a dismal place and taking one class at a time until you earn a junior college degree and then a bachelor's and then two graduate degrees and multiple certifications until job recruiters call you several times every day when others cannot get a job? (True story)
A lot of us are fearful of being successful. Fear is an inhibitor and an evil spirit. We are fearful of what others may think. We are fearful of what others may say. We are fearful of being embarrassed and of reproachment and opprobrium. Remember, no one has a heaven or hell to put us in. Forget what others think unless they are going to help you achieve your goals. We live far below our potential for a variety of reasons; we don't strive hard enough or long enough or we become disillusioned and/or weary along the way...any number of reasons.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU KNEW YOU COULD NOT FAIL?
What's holding you back?
What's your fear?
Why?
Would you write a blog and publish a different weekly post regardless of who reads it?
Peace
Michele
Would you leave that mind numbing job and start a foundation sparked from a passion? Would you start your own business and continue to make cold calls until you had acquired enough customers to make it a success? Would you pack up and leave a relationship that you know is not good for you and work on the life you really want for yourself?
What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
Would you run for leader of the most influential country in the free world when people can't even pronounce your name and your middle name is Hussein? Would you impress upon a son the importance of learning how to read and that son then grows up to become one of the most important surgeons in the world...and you don't even know how to read yourself?
What would you do??
Would you apologize to someone you've offended regardless of her response? Would you pack up and move to Paris for two years and just make it work? What about pulling yourself up from a dismal place and taking one class at a time until you earn a junior college degree and then a bachelor's and then two graduate degrees and multiple certifications until job recruiters call you several times every day when others cannot get a job? (True story)
A lot of us are fearful of being successful. Fear is an inhibitor and an evil spirit. We are fearful of what others may think. We are fearful of what others may say. We are fearful of being embarrassed and of reproachment and opprobrium. Remember, no one has a heaven or hell to put us in. Forget what others think unless they are going to help you achieve your goals. We live far below our potential for a variety of reasons; we don't strive hard enough or long enough or we become disillusioned and/or weary along the way...any number of reasons.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU KNEW YOU COULD NOT FAIL?
What's holding you back?
What's your fear?
Why?
Would you write a blog and publish a different weekly post regardless of who reads it?
Peace
Michele
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