Copyright 2004 Priya Shah
A while ago I made it a point to watch the movie "Legally Blonde."
Not just for the bright, chirpy and eminently watchable Reese Witherspoon, but also because I loved the message it sent out.
If you didn't see the movie, all you need to know is that it's about a smart, fashion-conscious blonde who's told time and again, by her family and friends, that it'simpossible for someone like her to go to Harvard law school.
That she's just not smart enough and doesn't have what it takes.
In the movie, the character played by Witherspoon not only goes to Harvard law, but also through sheer determination and intuition, graduates at the top of her class.
Its just the sort of movie people love. Because it makes us believe that we too are capable of achieving anything we want to.
It reminds us how we often let ourselves, and others, underestimate our own potential.
And how we undermine our own sense of self, because of what we look like or where we came from.
But why just let it remain a movie, when it can be the story of your life...
Have you ever asked yourself what it is that keeps you from reaching your full potential?
From doing what you are inherently capable of?
For many of us, it's a lack of belief in ourselves. A lack of confidence in our own ability to succeed.
And because we believe we will fail, we usually do.
But there are people who have succeeded beyond all expectation - no matter what they look like, or where they come from.
One of my favourite role models who comes to mind is another Hollywood celebrity, Barbra Streisand.
Indeed, one of my favourite films of all time is her movie, "Yentl," about a courageous, intelligent woman trying to fulfill her capabilities, in the face of overwhelming odds.
"Yentl" was also the movie in which Streisand became the first woman ever to produce, direct, write and star in a major motion picture.
Streisand carved her own path, and broke the mould.
She showed how a woman with unconventional looks can make it in a field where beauty is more important than brains.
So, if you believe that you are less than someone, because of your lack of education, looks, talent, background or ability, take courage from her achievements.
They are an inspiration not only for women, but for everyone.
Because all it take is a belief. The belief that you can do what it takes.
Don't wait for someone else to give you an opportunity to prove yourself. Stop depending on others for handouts.
Don't wait for the right opportunity to fall in your lap. Because it never will.
All you need to carve your own path, is the confidence and the belief that you can succeed at anything you set out to do, no matter what the odds.
So start today. Choose a mentor.
Learn from the masters. Re-invent yourself.
Create your own opportunities and forge your own future.
Your belief in yourself, coupled with the courage to see it through, is what will carry you from a life of mediocrity and under-achievement, into a world where you can be the winner you aspire to be.
Priya Shah is the editor of the newsletters Be a Whiz at eBiz! and The Glutathione Report She shows you how to truly build multiple sources of income online with the Brilliant Team Home Business Opportunity
AP - President-elect Barack Obama intends to name Timothy Geithner, president of the New York Federal Reserve, as his treasury secretary to confront the nation's intense economic turmoil, senior Democratic officials said Friday.
AP - Gov. Dave Heineman signed into law Friday a bill adding a 30-day age limit to a safe-haven law that allowed 35 children including teenagers as old as 17 to be abandoned at state hospitals. The law, approved hours earlier by the Legislature in a 45-3 vote, goes into effect Saturday, and makes Nebraska the 14th state with a 30-day age cap. It had been the only state with a safe-haven law without an age limit.
AP - Democratic leaders ordered Detroit's Big Three automakers Friday to submit what amounts to a detailed loan application to Congress so lawmakers can decide whether to give the beleaguered industry an emergency $25 billion lifeline.
AP - In a last dash of diplomacy, President George W. Bush on Friday sought China's help in pinning down North Korea to keep its shaky promises of nuclear disarmament.
AP - Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday he would like to add significant U.S. forces to the war in Afghanistan before national elections scheduled for next year, and that grim depictions of backsliding in the seven-year-old war are "far too pessimistic."
AP - Germany is dropping its pursuit of a ban on Scientology after finding insufficient evidence of illegal activity, security officials said Friday.
AP - The New York Knicks traded Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford in separate deals Friday, parting with their two top scorers to free up coveted salary-cap space for the summer of 2010. Crawford was sent to Golden State for forward Al Harrington. Hours later, Randolph was shipped to the Los Angeles Clippers along with reserve guard Mardy Collins for Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas.
AP - Standing in the center of a sun-drenched 18th green, as waves of cheers rippled from a packed gallery, Annika Sorenstam hugged caddie Terry McNamara and took the flag from his hand.
Reuters - President-elect Barack Obama on Friday moved toward nominating Timothy Geithner as Treasury secretary and charging the respected head of the New York Federal Reserve with helping pull the United States out of an economic nosedive.
Reuters - Citigroup Inc has begun talks with the U.S. government as its plummeting share price raises doubts about the bank's ability to survive, a person familiar with the matter said.
Reuters - Detroit automakers began work on turnaround plans demanded by Congress in return for $25 billion in aid as General Motors Corp said it would cut production more and give up two of its controversial corporate jets.
Reuters - The board of directors of embattled U.S. automaker General Motors Corp is considering "all options" including bankruptcy, according to a report on the Wall Street Journal's website late on Friday.
Reuters - U.S. stocks stormed higher in a late rally on Friday to cap another volatile week as investors welcomed reports that President-elect Barack Obama has chosen his point person to combat the U.S. economic crisis, instilling confidence about the administration's ability to take action.
Reuters - Pakistani television channels reported that Rashid Rauf, a British Islamist militant with al Qaeda links, was killed along with an Egyptian militant by a U.S. missile strike in the North Waziristan tribal region of Pakistan Saturday.
Reuters - The Pentagon is considering a plan to send more than 20,000 troops to Afghanistan over the next 12 to 18 months to help safeguard elections and quell rising Taliban violence, officials said on Friday.
AFP - Leaders of the Pacific rim are set to meet to chart ways to boost trade despite turmoil in the global economy, as aspiring powers China and Russia bid farewell to US President George W. Bush.
AFP - The economic team of US president-elect Barack Obama came into view as fears mounted on the global financial crisis and more mass job cuts loomed worldwide.
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