Potential is only that, unless it is acted upon.
"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Earlier in the day I watched a fellow argue with the pastor from the Texas church where a gunman killed 26 members including the pastor's daughter. He argued that it was a hoax put on by Homeland security and the FBI. All of the mass shootings were not real but staged and carried out by actors. I literally had a hard time believing this man was traveling around trying to disprove mass shootings. He offered a cash prize if you could prove them. The fact death certificates birth certificates are public domain only led to statements of forgeries. Since 1973 I have worked with people who have in many cases severe psychological issues. Watching this man I was witnessing a crazy person. Ignorance can be taught. Sitting here writing I believe potential is the antithesis of ignorance.
I got thinking back as I scrolled sanity another video of Andrew Young and Jesse Jackson remembering this day fifty years ago. Dr. King was shot while he stood looking off a balcony at his motel in Memphis. Andrew Young pointed to a spot where Dr. King's foot was caught in railing of balcony as he fell. I was a freshmen in college at the time and my radical days were ahead. While some focused on race my energies went towards education and children not served at the time. Even today I have had discussion with "friends" who feel we do not need to provide education for children who cannot be a benefit to society. I watch the news and read articles about ignorance. Webster defines ignorance: a lack of knowledge, education, or awareness. I can see how in politics both sides could claim the other as ignorant. It all depends on who you listen to. Sadly few people look more broadly and try and see both sides.
It was nearly fifteen years ago I went for an interview to be accepted into a Master's Degree program at Piedmont College. I failed my interview. I had already been in school for over a year in the program and somehow I had just failed the entrance interview. Perhaps in my zeal for the program I had forgotten the interview process. I called my advisor and an appointment was made with the Dean. I was extremely fortunate to sit in with the Dean of the Education department and gain acceptance to the program officially. A few months later I faced the professor who failed me on the interview. Much like Kavanaugh's thought we have become good friends and in effect he reintroduced me to a long forgotten bit of my past in the poet James Kavanaugh. I have now many of his books in my library and this particular one caught my attention. The above is the first paragraph of the introduction to this book.
As I was thinking of potential it is so much on how we perceive and see the world and those around us. It is the acceptance and caring we share and that we allow others to participate in. Potential a simple word yet so often robbed from students, or from friends as we impose our own priorities and limitations on relationships and on communication, on life itself.
As parents, teachers and friends we need to be igniters for others and when needed be a self-igniter for ourselves. Each day I watch teachers and students limit the potential of others. Often indirectly and without thought we do this to them.
A number of years ago in 1905, a miner unearthed in South Africa a baseball size rock, pulled from the ground covered in mud. It may have been discarded but when an observant miner carefully washed and cleaned the stone it turned out to be the largest diamond ever found. The Cullian Diamond weighed in at over 3000 carats. When cut the diamond was made into several now famous cut stones most of which reside in the crown jewels of Great Britain including the golf ball size diamond in the scepter of the Queen.
So often it is within us that we become limited. We ourselves become the stumbling blocks for our own potential. It takes perseverance and effort to many times over come our own fears and inadequacies. Often children are put down and carry that into later events and undertakings, a sense of inadequacy and potential is squashed.
A virtual business empire has been built by Covey helping and inspiring people to become aware of their own potential unlocking what they hold inside. Great coaches in sports and life through understanding of people achieve success with teams that may not have the greatest athletes but have a concerted effort for achieving their potential. In a recent college football game, a seemingly invincible team was upset by a smaller college. It was that team's effort to reach their true potential and another team thinking less of them because of who they thought they were.
There are really no secrets to unlocking our own potential, it is there waiting. So many years ago I remember my father saying never say "I can't", "you can achieve anything you set your mind too". .
John Garner was the author of numerous books on a range of subjects including Leadership and motivation. Garner states it is there inside us "Only one man can do anything".
We so get into the habit of accepting limitations, of listening to those around us who keep us back. We should instead seek people and friends who uplift and raise the standards for us and those around us. Try and look for people who also want to reach their potential.
Please keep all in harm's way on your mind and in your hearts and always give thanks namaste.