I’ve just been on a short trip down south, and after a bumpy flight it was heartening to see the welcome message on a billboard in the airport car park: Welcome to Invercargill, Where Dreams Are Possible. Below the words is a picture of Bert Monroe on the 1920 Indian Scout motorbike on which he broke the New Zealand speed record in 1940. In true pioneering-stock fashion, he had modified the bike with parts that he manufactured himself in his back yard shed. I saw the bike in the local museum and it sure looked to be a pretty rough and ready, uncomfortable ride for what was achieved on it. Bert had a dream that he pursued with passion and determination and through dedication, hard work, and trial and error, he achieved that dream, despite the privations of the Depression and setbacks along the way, such as blowing up his motor 250 times! Apparently his motto was ‘fix it and try again’. Between the ages of 63 and 68 he set world speed records that still haven’t been broken.
When I arrived at the motel and set out my bits and pieces in the bathroom I was greeted with another uplifting message – on the wrapper of the complementary bar of soap, of all places! It read: Insist on yourself; never imitate. . . each one of us is unique. Each day during the visit I was able to easily remind myself to celebrate my uniqueness and enjoy being Me. It wasn’t a bad focus for a holiday; and it is a good affirmation to remember and return to all the time. Believing in our own worth and having confidence in our abilities helps to fuel our dreams and motivate us to do what is necessary to make them a reality.
What dreams and goals are you willing to work hard to achieve?
How can embracing your own uniqueness help you to do this?
What messages inspire you and give you hope?
