Many people, especially people of color and those who were born into poverty, seem to find it very difficult to see themselves as winners. This is particularly true of people who move from the country of their birth to another country.
If you or someone you know – a child, a sibling, a friend – fall into this category, you need to remember that the God who created your destiny is not limited by social, cultural or other boundaries. He made this world and everything in it.
Some of us had the good fortune to read books like John Howard Griffin’s “
Black Like Me” or The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander's Memoir titled "
Go to School, You're a Little Black Boy." Lincoln M. Alexander went on to become Canada’s first black Member of Parliament and the 24th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. In 1995, the Ontario Provincial Police provincial headquarters in Orillia was named after him and is now known as the Lincoln M. Alexander building.
What does this do for me you ask? If nothing else, it confirms
Archie Moore’s ABC – Any Body Can! The all important question is one that was asked by
Les Brown, a well-known motivational speaker, “Are you willing to do what it takes to be successful?”
If you are one of those people who feel that people like us are not high achievers in this world, you need to give your head a shake. Then, go to the Archives of Ontario and read about people like
Dr. Daniel Hill, the first Director of the Ontario Human Rights Commission. Or, go to the world of sports and read about some of the greatest players of all times:
Michael Jordon and
Shaquille “Shaq” O'Neal, Basket Ball;
Tiger Woods, Golf and
Haile Gebrselassie, long-distance runner.
If that is not enough, swing by the world of movies and read about Will Smith or Danny Glover or Queen Latifa or Sidney Poitier just to name a few. In the world of music you have Louis Armstrong, the world-renowned trumpet player or Michael Jackson, the King of Pop and Bob Marley known around the world for his reggae music. Stop by the TV networks and you’ll find personalities like Oprah Winfrey and Ian Hanomansing.
There are also countless success stories in other fields – doctors, lawyers, teachers, priests, engineers, etc. etc. Last but not least, we have the beloved
President Barack Obama in our own lifetime holding the biggest job in the biggest country in the world today.
This impressive list does not even begin to scratch the surface of success stories among people of color or those who were born in poverty or those who left their home country behind. This is only a proverbial drop in the ocean; the full list of success stories would be miles long.
Be reminded too that there never will be a single place on the earth where one must go to enjoy success. In fact, history tells us that people from all walks of life are enjoying unparalleled success in small town and large cities around the world. You can too!
What’s my point? I trust that this will help you to remember that your future does not depend on anyone out there. You future was already created by God. All you have to do is go out and claim it.
Joel Osteen said it best, “Two thousand years ago, your big brother died and left you an inheritance; you have to go out and claim it. The Holy Bible is the will.”
