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11/6/07: Armed With Optimism |
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Armed With Optimism
A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
~ Winston Churchill
I met a positive person this week. His name is Alvin Law and he was born without arms as a result of a birth defect caused by medication his mother took while she carried him.
After talking for an hour with Alvin, I told myself for the rest of the day that I was going to try not to use my arms, just to see what it was like. Guess what? I didn't last three minutes. Doing the simplest things was...impossible! But if you asked Alvin Law, he would tell you, "No it's not."
In fact, at different times in his life, Alvin was told he couldn't go to regular public school, couldn't play the piano or trombone, and certainly couldn't drive a car. WRONG! Well you would think Alvin was born without ears as well! Because at almost every point in his life when somebody told him he couldn't do something or that it would be too difficult, Alvin saw an opportunity to show others that we are all capable of so much more. He also convinced me that disabled mind is a greater barrier to success than a disabled body.
During this week, there will be times when things get difficult. Or you may find yourself in the middle of a storm already. Just remember that you have a choice about how you attack that difficulty. If I thought being pessimistic would get you through it, I would say go for it. But it just doesn't work. Look at that difficulty through the eyes of a man with no arms. And with optimism and perhaps a little imagination, show yourself and others all that you are capable of.
To listen to Brian interview Alvin Law on his weekly radio program, go to www.preciseselling.com/Radio.htm. To learn more about Brian Sullivan's PRECISE Selling, go to www.preciseselling.com.
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