In an editorial in this morning's newspaper (yes, an actual printed newspaper!), Lewis W. Diuguid provided this quote from President Obama's speech to the NAACP:

"We need a new mindset, a new set of attitudes -- because one of the most durable and destructive legacies of discrimination is the way we've internalized a sense of limitation; how so many in our community have come to expect so little from the world and from themselves ... No one has written your destiny for you.  Your destiny is in your hands -- you cannot forget that.  That's what we have to teach all of our children.  No excuses."

While the President's words were intended for the black community, they apply to all of us who have internalized a sense of limitation.  We have come to expect so little from the world, and from ourselves -- we've come to believe that survival is living, that having some comfort and security is the best we can expect from life, and that our dreams are just that -- dreams to be dreamt, but never to be realized.  We've handed over responsibility for the outcome to the "other" -- the government, our employer, the community, our family -- anyone but ourselves. 

But the truth is, as President Obama pointed out, our destiny is in our hands.  It may require making some difficult choices and stepping out of our comfort zones.  But isn't that a worthy price to pay for stepping into our greatness, for setting free our spirits and letting them soar?  Too many of us answer that question with a resounding "no" and hunker back down into what we consider to be the safety of our unfulfilled lives.  Why?  Yes, it's scary, but on the other side of the fear is a freedom the likes of which you've only imagined.  Step into it, and step through it.  You'll be so glad that you did!

How many times have you let yourself be stopped by either someone else or your own self talk saying "it can't be done"?  It can be done, but only you can do it!  No more excuses!  Grab hold of your dream and don't let it go.  Do whatever it takes (within the boundaries of the law and your own integrity) to get it done.  No one has written your destiny for you.  Don't you forget it!