I think that some of the smallest challenges in life are capable of filling me with the motivation to tackle some of the world’s larger ills.
When I was a child, I would do foolish, innocent things. For instance, while in a swimming pool I would push the limits of holding my breath under water. Sometimes I would fail and suffer the burn of inhaling chlorine-laced water through my noise. Other times, I would emerge from the water triumphant.
Later in life, I would find joy in challenging myself academically. My teachers would rave about my potential and cause me to wonder just how well I could perform scholastically. At first it was a matter of transitioning to honors classes. After that, it was an internal drive to dominate every subject. No matter what the course, I wanted to prove to myself that I could master it.
These days, an assortment of challenges brings me joy and helps me measure my worth via my willingness to take risks. Be it approaching the prettiest girl in the club. Wooing her with my personality and charm. And if I’m lucky, ultimately fooling her into liking me – even if it is only for a brief moment in time. Because it’s better to have loved and lost than to not have loved at all – right?
As I write this passage, I sit with my newly purchased guitar staring at me. No. I don’t know a damn thing about music. I can’t read music. I can’t write music. I can’t sing (unless you love a poorly done falsetto). I’ve never had any formal exposure to musical instruments. Yet, I’m mentally preparing myself to tackle this challenge, just as I have tackled other challenges in the past.
There is something motivating about being the underdog. There is something exciting about taking on the unknown. And there is nothing more fulfilling that achieving what you set out to achieve. And if you aim for the stars, as they say, even failure will lead you to the clouds.
These small feats are rather underwhelming unto themselves. Yet, when you piece them together, they emerge as a mosaic of success capable of inspiring even the most feeble of hearts. They remind me that there will be stepping stones leading to every major accomplishment. No matter how daunting the task may appear, if I attack the problem piece by piece. There is no magic bullet that’ll change the world. But in my quest to change the world, I’m going to start with myself. By fully understanding who I am, I’ll better understand how I can approach life and work in a manner to leave a positive mark on the world.
It’s more than just a saying used by Gilbert Arenas, Reggie Bush and the rest of the ADIDAS gang. It’s a way of life. It’s what forces me to discard my shells of fears and go after the unknown. To make the foreign familiar. To make the wild tame. To climb Everest – just because it’s there.
Impossible is nothing!
