Failure

For years I was told, “you’re not invincible!” This coming from an person who hides behind their own fears. Have you ever met someone who continually told you could not do something? Dealing with someone with this mentality can be very harmful to your own psyche and can have lasting effect. My advice…run away as fast as you can or merely do not share your thoughts or ideas with them or anyone.

It is not a question invincibility or not, but belief in going beyond normal boundaries established by most. The majority being the 99% of the population that believes in boundaries laid before them. This did not stop Jabez when he prayed to God for expanding his boundaries, during a time of despair.

“Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory,

that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil,

that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

1 Chronicles 4:10

There is clearly a significant difference between those who believe in limits and those who redefine them. Michael Jordan cut from his High School basketball team, only to prove the world how wrong they were. Abraham Lincoln never stopped:

  • 1816: His family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support them.
  • 1818: His mother died.
  • 1831: Failed in business.
  • 1832: Ran for state legislature – lost.
  • 1832: Also lost his job – wanted to go to law school but couldn’t get in.
  • 1833: Borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business and by the end of the year he was bankrupt. He spent the next17 yearsof his life paying off this debt.
  • 1834: Ran for state legislature again – won.
  • 1835: Was engaged to be married, sweetheart died and his heart was broken.
  • 1836: Had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months.
  • 1838: Sought to become speaker of the state legislature – defeated.
  • 1840: Sought to become elector – defeated.
  • 1843: Ran for Congress – lost.
  • 1846: Ran for Congress again – this time he won – went to Washington and did a good job.
  • 1848: Ran for re-election to Congress – lost.
  • 1849 Sought the job of land officer in his home state – rejected.
  • 1854: Ran for Senate of the United States – lost.
  • 1856: Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party’s national convention – got less than100 votes.
  • 1858: Ran for U.S. Senate again – again he lost.
  • 1860: Elected president of the United States.
  • 1864: Re-Elected.

With perseverance and determination, these famous people moved beyond the normal constraints and redefined their own boundaries. What was this magic formula?

“I didn’t fail. I just found 10,000 ways on how not to make a light-bulb.”

~Thomas Edison

Simple determination and a Dream of being something, others told them they were not, these nonconformists redefined the boundaries for the majority. One very big secret is they never told anyone their ideas until they were accomplished.

“Only those who can see the invisible can do the impossible.”

~Albert Einstein

In Tae Kwon Do basic tenets are taught: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, self-control, indomitable spirit. While all are noble, the greatest of these is indomitable spirit. Indomitable Spirit is the ability to go beyond when everyone else stops at the false boundaries established by the majority. Indomitable Spirit is a summary of the other 4 tenets.

Stepping into the Canvas with an Indomitable Spirit. Knowing that my words shared with  others can have a lasting effect on my goals, thereby allowing silence to lead the way until goals are met. Through perseverance and integrity, self-control and courtesy, we can harmoniously mingle with the majority while maintaining spirit. While the Pilgrim believes in the boundaries established by others, the Warrior breaks these boundaries…and redefines them for the rest.

The Pilgrim calls on others to aid, when the Warrior calls on His Creator…

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. -Philippians 4:13

On The Road

Stuck at a dead-end with nowhere to turn? Have no idea where you are going? Do any of us really no where we are going? Not really, but we think we are. We can choose to sit in misery or we can sit in contemplation, contemplating our next steps. While sitting quietly, allowing the answers to flow, something happens and you find yourself on the road once more.

It is in our quiet times we find the answers. During our quiet moments we find our thoughts pairing with source energy. Abraham Hicks speaks, “When we align ourselves with Source Energy, we cut all boundaries and apply our thoughts to action.”

“Watch you thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become your character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.~Frank Outlaw

Sometimes, when our thoughts seem to be absent, it is better to just hit the road and enjoy what life has to offer. Today I travel to Lambeau Field with my Father-In-Law. While I wish I could stay home to write, my gut says to go and have a good time…”forgive me for what I am about to do!” There will be a lot of drinking and other negativity around me, but I will stay at peace with myself and whom I have become. Not having to partake in the drinking, freedom is mine. Today I will merely see all there is…enjoying all the Canvas has to offer.

Stepping into the Canvas enjoying every aspect. While surrounded by lost pilgrims, the Warrior remains true to the cause. The world appears to fall to suffering, but the Warrior sees a different painting before him. With eyes of compassion,  aligned with his source…giving him eyes of truth.