"Everyone knows somebody that needs to read this book (Perseverance) !" –Kathie Lee Gifford, Live on NBC’s Today Show
"Perseverance offers… profound insight for all of us seeking to lead a meaningful life." –Daniel H. Pink, New York Times bestselling author of A Whole New Mind
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Are the odds in your favor?
The difference between what we do, and what we are capable of doing, would solve most of the world’s problems.” -Mahatma Gandhi
During a recent conversation, someone (I’ll maintain this person’s anonymity!) told me, “The odds are not in your favor.” I was appalled when I heard the statement, especially because the person was referring to the success of something very important to me. The individual could not understand why the remark upset me as much as it did.
After the conversation, I couldn’t stop thinking about the meaning behind the statement. The other person thought it was simply a pronouncement of fact, and it may well be, but to me, it’s a declaration that lacks any kind of hope and any of the power found in perseverance.
I’ve learned repeatedly from the world of childhood cancer that the odds are often not in your favor; however, the strongest and happiest children and families I have known chose not to focus on those odds. They had nothing to gain by doing so. Instead, they shifted their focus to what was in their favor. Often, that was the beauty of the moment and the unwavering belief that one must never stop living because of a storm. Life doesn’t wait for us.
Life is a journey that can never be defined by odds. We—not others—choose how we live our lives. If we decide to believe in ourselves, then nothing can diminish our potential.
The statement the person made, while hurtful at the time, helped me appreciate yet again the fuel that drives my passion to create a completely unique life journey. The fuel: believing that anything is possible, the excitement to disprove “the odds” and do things that others say can’t be done. The strength I gain from that fuel drives me to expect the unexpected, to know the unknown, and to make possible the impossible. Without this mindset, dreams remain unreachable…and a life without dreams is barren.
The odds will always exist, but we won’t. So take what is in your favor and chase those dreams. As you begin, take this fact away with you: it’s time for YOU to soar!
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This entry was posted on Friday, September 25th, 2009 at 9:18 pm and is filed under Creativity & Inspiration, Goals & Productivity, Top Posts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
17 Responses to “Are the odds in your favor?”
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First time to visit your blog. Nice to meet you.
I’ve had people who said that to me too, but I proved them wrong. It’s up to you how good or bad those odds appear.
Twitter: clrsimple2
says:
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting :)! I definitely agree that we can choose how to perceive the odds. Just visited your site – happy (almost belated) birthday!
Maybe that person was having a bad day. Anyone can do anything if they give it a try & keep trying. WE all start out the same. Its not what you know, its what you want. Go for the moon :~)
Twitter: clrsimple2
says:
Thank you, Kali! So inspiring – imagine if we all went for the moon!
That’s so true, we have NOTHING to gain from focusing on the odds stacked against us! Positive mental attitude wins every time for me. Great post!
Can you imagine ever saying that to the people we will eventually be working with? I can imagine where it applies, in a sense,–but would never voice it, because well, frankly, if I believed in “odds only” I could not do my job. If I worked only on probabilities, I would become too downtrodden. I’m good at what I do because I’m bad a statistics. ;)
Very well said…and this person’s statement says so much more about him or her. I am learning that people and statements like this, while hurtful and frustrating, can be, in the end, my teachers.
I love this concept and I agree with you whole heartedly. I think that sometimes we are limited by our own view of our potential. If we would just open up and start believing in ourselves and get the tenacity to go after the things that we believe in then hell itself couldn’t stand in the way of our dreams. Awesome post!
Like your post image says, there is possibility in the impossible!
Ken
I just happened to stumble upon yours site and found this beautiful message written by you…Very well said.
So true…eye opening…and inspiring!
Thank you..All the very best!!
Thanks for the post. Just what I needed today. For me, I know that with God, all things are possible. I also know that I have to have faith in myself to allow it to happen.
Great post & very inspirational.
[...] Are the odds in your favor? on a beautiful ripple effect [...]
[...] “Are the Odd’s in Your Favor?” is a fantastic post written by Carolyn Rubenstein, the amazing author of Perseverance, on not letting odds stand between you and your dreams. [...]
Thank you for writing something which so closely embodies my life’s journey. I have had A.L.S. for 16 years nearly 12 of that on a ventilator. Yet despite having this obstacle in my life’s path and in spite of many telling me I cannot go on including to go home and plan my funeral by a doctor after my diagnosis, tomorrow I celebrate my 15th year of marriage with my incredible and beautiful wife with our three daughters (14, 7 & 4) while being in my third year as a full-time, triple masters student at the University of Michigan-Dearborn at the soon to be age of 43!
Your post inspired me so much that I quoted you in my status on Facebook and linked to your blog. The words you wrote are not only the truth but also a guide to how we need to live. Be well and happy!
Only want to say your article is as tonishing. The clearness in your post is simply impressive and i can assume you are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your rss feed to keep up to date with incoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the delightful work
Twitter: benspoont
says:
We are all dying to know……who said this?!?!?