We all have moments that change our lives forever. These can range from tragic events to moments where you are so awestruck that you are speechless. 1997 Game 5 of the NBA finals is a moment that left me awestruck. It has become known as the Michael Jordan Flu Game. I’m a huge MJ fan!  I had heard stories of John Elway or Troy Aikman playing with concussions, winning games they don’t remember. This was the first time I had seen anything like those stories. I remember crying very hard starting at half time and continuing through the end of the game.  I was watching greatness become personified and immortalized.  I kept asking myself the following question:

“How can anyone train their entire being to be a winner, so that even if your are mentally out of it, everything kicks in to win?”

What kicks in after the choice is made?  On my flight home yesterday, I read the following poem in Dave Ramsey’s book “Financial Peace Revisited.” I could not have aptly answered the above question. For 12 years, I’ve endeavored to make the wisdom below work for me. The author is unknown, but I hope you get as much out of it as I did.

What habits do you need to develop in order to become successful?

I could think of no greater way to honor this great man, than to take my favorite quotes from his “I Have Dream” speech and expound on what they mean to me.

My 5 favorite quotes from Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech:

“We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline.”

As long as there is ignorance there will be bigotry and racism.  Our generation doesn’t fight against the blatant racism of segregation or slavery. Our generation fights the subtle forms of bigotry ingrained in our institutions and perpetrated by innocent yet ignorant people. We stand our ground by not responding to situations or people with feelings but let our values be our filter in how to respond. Yes this means we stand our ground and point it out when necessary and even leave if we must.  But there are times to teach and educate without the anger of our suffering.

“You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.”

The building of character and fearless resolve is the benefit of responding based on our values.  If we respond based on feelings and our insecurities we really are no better than those who are acting on their feelings and insecurities.

“It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment and to underestimate the determination of the Negro.”

There’s only been one time in my life where the door of opportunity was closed based on my race and/or sex.  It’s one thing to suspect it when things don’t go well, but it’s another when the “higher powers” are telling you it’s because ‘you are black and a woman’ it ain’t gonna happen.  That was the most helpless moment of my life. But what got me out of the moment was my determination. Sometimes I feel African-Americans have lost their fight, looking for handouts from the government and the like.  We are a strong race but a broken people.

“…that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream.”

The power of a vision can uplift the most downtrodden of souls. I’m not talking about setting a goal of winning American Idol and ya can’t sing!  But if you want to be a singer, be willing to pay the price and take lessons to improve your voice and walk the path laid before you to succeed (which may or may not include American Idol). Every knock down is an opportunity to learn and get stronger. Resistance makes you stronger in the gym and in life!

“I have a dream today.”

Key word: TODAY…  One of my goals for 2010 is to climb Mt. Rainier.  I have daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly work out goals to help me get there.  God willing, I’ll be atop Mt. Rainier late summer (they may have to airlift me down, but I’ll climbing to the top on my own accord) I treat every aspect of my life with the same discipline. What do want to accomplish in your life?  How can you make it happen?  Set weekly, monthly and yearly goals and steps to achieve your dreams.

2009 was a great year for me.  I accomplished most of what I wanted to accomplish.  The things I didn’t accomplish were due to further research, I decided to change the goal.

This year I launched this blog in July.  I’ve been learning a lot about social media through the process. When I started I didn’t know a blog from a website.  I was asking questions like “RSS feeds what and how?” and   “Who’s SEO and what does she do?”  I’ve been busy learning that I haven’t put forth effort into good writing and content. This is going to change in 2010.

I worked out my goals and commitments for the blog in 2010.

1. Increase subscriptions to 1000 (see Seth Godin’s article on First Organize 1000)
2. 1000 unique hits per day
3. Post 3 articles per week
4. Participate in forums related to leadership and blogging

I worked on my first editorial calendar over the Christmas weekend.  I’m excited about the topics I’ve got planned for this blog.  I’m more excited about the interaction you!

Happy New Year!  May 2010 be full of blessings and success for you!