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We are like layers, that’s what the ogre said. To put this another way, a story begins…

$64,000 Question

From time to time, I have been very humbled to be a guest motivational speaker to audiences both large and small. My talk includes areas of determination, willpower and a “can do” attitude after momentous odds. As a person with a disability, suffering a massive stroke, I try to motivate the audience the best I can, because I regale the interaction of the people and energy it brings.

But, like the $64,000 question, I try and work out one point over and over and over again: how did I overcome big obstacles not only in my recovery but my attitude overall? Whether it’s business or personal, how do I break down from ordinary to extraordinary?

That’s a very hard question. Why? Because I am very critical and critique myself in the way interact with people in the world around me. Especially with my communications because of my global aphasia, a language disorder that interferes with the processing of the brain, I am sometimes hesitant, but on the other hand, the heart of a champion.

Peculiar Indeed

So, what features do I entail to be peculiar indeed? I am smart enough and my values and beliefs are very malleable to the challenge. I am good-natured, upbeat and resilient.

But going further, I have very strong emotions and that nothing can keep me from the right course. In that fleeting moment, I feel like no one or no object is going to keep me from my aspirations; I am buoyant and on top of the game.

I am almost invincible, so to speak, but I realize, I can accomplish and be thankful for even more. In some ways, it’s a lonely path, because I am trying to achieve the greatest palpable goals, yet grapple with the notion that some of my plans will not have fruit, but I am going to try my hardest nevertheless.

What’s Really Important in You

And it even gets better, because guess what? You have the exact same opportunities to be something extraordinary, too. You are breathing and you can do anything you put your mind to it if you are strong enough to make it so.

It’s up to you, the individual, that makes the first step. You can conjecture to uncovering what’s really important in you. You have to realize that life is good (or will get better,) and your unique and one-of-a-kind is your DNA to refinement.

Like Layers

I was watching a movie, “Shrek“, the other day. In one scene, Shrek, who is an ogre and Donkey, his buddy, are talking about onions. Shrek indicates that onions are like layers because you can peel them back and discover another layer down below.

In some ways, having layers is central to your well-being. If you can open your heart and look at the layers deeper and deeper in what is important in your life, then you will apprehend that you are exceptional, different and still learning.

What are your layers?