Ken Duke just won the 2013 Traveler’s Champion Golf Tournament today. He is 44 years and a first time ever winner of a PGA championship. One more amazing example of the concept of staying the course. Self esteem comes from DOING Esteemable Acts, and it’s an Esteemable Act to stay the course and not give up on your dreams—no matter how hard and daunting the road.
Not everyone is destined to win a game, or pass a test, or make the goal the first time out of the gate. Without a doubt, there are some folks who experience instant gratification all the time, and whatever they want they seem to get when they want it. But I suspect for most of us, getting what we want requires work, effort, and time. Likewise I think of Billy Porter, the 2013 Tony Award Winner for best male performer in a Musical—Kinky Boots. Someone made the comment that it was great that he won the award the first time nominated, implying that he was an overnight success. But in fact, Billy Porter is yet, one more example of someone who has been around a long time, paid his dues, and now is reaping a well deserved payoff. He first shot at Broadway was in Ms. Saigon in 1991.
It is so easy to give up on a dream because it’s too hard, the requirements too challenging, the process is too boring, or the benefits you seek just don’t come quickly enough. The real success stories in life are those who are willing to dream big and then do whatever it takes to make those dreams happen. The thrill of victory only comes when you have truly earned that success.
Feel free to share an experience where you worked for a dream, or one that you are working for now.
In the meantime, I am Francine Ward, a truly courageous woman, lawyer, author who believes that self esteem is a by-product of living a courageous life!
