...the
waves are calling out my name and laughing at me...
Reminding
me of all the times I've tried before and failed,
And
the waves keep on telling me time and time again boy you never will, you never
will...
But
the voice of truth tells me a different story,
the
voice of truth says do not be afraid...
I
want to tell you a story about a young man who made a difference in life. He
was 21 years old, not the brightest student in class but he had a very
entrepreneurial spirit. His name was Ricky. Having not qualified for college or
higher education, he decided to go into business. His first business never
quite took off but it did provide him with valuable input for his second
business. His business was primarily selling music records. Originally he would
mail music records to a few people then the business began to grow. He began
mailing the records to people across the country side and to others even in the
city. In time he expanded his operations to other European countries. At the
age of 21, he was well on his way to becoming a millionaire. Journalists
everywhere wrote about him. He was as happy as could be.
One
day he was on his way to deliver music records to another country. At the time
Britain tried to promote exports and so after your goods were checked and
stamped, you received a certificate and were exempted from some taxes. However,
due to lack of a specific document, Ricky was turned back at the border and was
not able to enter Belgium. This was a big blow, he had spent a lot of his money
to develop these music records, he stood to make monumental losses. Thinking
quickly, he discovered that he had a lot of stock which he could sell within
Britain and make a bigger profit. He did after all have the paperwork to prove that
the stock was destined for a foreign country. He turned back and sold the
records. He continued to do this time and again and in the process he made a
lot of money. However, he was eventually caught and was arraigned in court. By
good fortune he was able to settle the matter out of court and through his
aunt's help he was able to put the matter behind him completely. Today that man
is Richard Branson, a multibillionaire who owns two islands and over four
hundred companies all over the world.
Why
did I give you this story? Well it's a new year and I am guessing that you did
a few things last year that you really wish you hadn't done. If you did not
then good for you. I have been there, where you've made a mistake and you feel
like it might define the rest of your life. I know what it is to make a mistake
that sets you years back. I know how much it hurts to kiss your plans goodbye
and wish to God that things were different. Take heart my brother, you will get
through.
Richard
Branson was a relatively happy-go-lucky person who believed in bending the
rules to get things done, but this event taught him that there is a price to
pay for carrying that attitude. It taught him an important lesson that aided
him in making bigger decisions in future. He overcame what was perhaps the
biggest mistake in his life to go on and become greater than ever. This new
year, I know that though the festivities might have been great you still have
the same job, live in the same neighbourhood and probably have more responsibilities.
So
you made a mistake or maybe you didn't reach a specific target and it is
weighing down on your spirit. Rise up! Rise up I say! Never let your troubles
get you down.You are stronger than that, heck you are better than that.
Remember that person you never thought you could live without, well look at you
all living and stuff. You've got what it takes even if it doesn't seem like it.
You've got what it takes even if the whole world discounts you. You've got what
it takes because your life is more than just about one mistake or a dozen for
that matter. The fact is that no great success was ever achieved without
failure.
Our
attitude when we fail should not be that it is over and done. Failure is a
necessary stepping stone to achieving our dreams. Till next time I will leave
you with the following quote on success;
"Only
those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly"
- Robert F. Kennedy
