We’re drawn to the spectacular: Armstrong’s moon walk and Earhart’s flight.
We’re mesmerized by the magnificent: Mozart’s arias and Michelangelo’s chapel.
We’re captivated by the courageous: Mandela’s resistance and King’s walk.
We love the epic tale and a hero’s victory.
But why do we believe that they are not our own?
So often we stand on the sidelines and watch as spectators to greatness. So often we fail to see – fail to know – the greatness of which we ourselves are capable.
Why do we play small when we can play big?
Another year has come and gone. Have we written the book, composed the song, patented the project, painted the picture, taken the trip, flown the balloon, established the foundation, learned to dance, started the business, explored the savannah, learned to fly, dived the reef, seen the Taj, rafted the river, taken the plunge, run the race?
(Or have we watched the television, surfed the net, fought the Mafia Wars, browsed in WalMart and competed in FarmVille?)
What are we waiting for? Do we think there’s time?
There is no time. Time is running out. The time is now.
Big is in. Small is out.
Stepping up: in. Muddling: out.
We know the end game. We’re not getting out alive. So what’s the risk?
And why are we waiting?
A new year dawns. It’s time.
Where do you want to be in your life on December 31, 2011? What do you want to have accomplished? Write it; make pictures of it; make it real. Map it out; chunk it down. Plan the steps. Schedule the steps. Make it manageable. Commit.
And then take action.
Fight resistance. Build momentum.
Believe in yourself and in what you can accomplish. But know that you can’t go it alone.
Surround yourself with people who believe in your greatness, who support your goals. We are the average of the five people with whom we spend most of our time. Take a careful look around. And choose wisely.
Get a coach. Find an accountability partner. Seek out communities of support. Invest in yourself.
I discovered a wonderful community this year: MightClub. It’s comprised of thinkers and dreamers, artists and writers, entrepreneurs and innovators and healers. It provides inspiration, support, encouragement and accountability. Its founders seized on the word Might for its meaning of both power and possibility; the power and possibility to live bigger.
Find out what you need to do for yourself to nurture and achieve your dreams. Find out what you need to do to live your life Bigger. Find the Might in your life. Make it happen.
The sweep second hand of the clock is gone and our digital time pieces delude us. I keep a large hour glass in my studio. From time to time, I turn it over and watch the sand trickle through. It is a stark reminder that times passes whether we act or not.
As we move in to 2011, we need to believe in possibility again. And in our own innate power. Spectators no longer. Participants in greatness. Heroes in our own epic ventures. With audacity and courage.
May 2011 be filled with Might.
Thanks for this, Walt. Important reminders as we look ahead to the new year!