This morning, I woke up with a song playing in my head.  I heard it while I got dressed, as I drove to work, and even while I completed other tasks.  At the same time, another thought is constantly recurring. The song and thought are seemingly unrelated. Yet, they come together perfectly to form one question: What's your contribution to the world?

From time to time... Okay, regularly... I revisit something from my upbringing that inspires me. Today, though, I didn't have to return to it. It came to me.

All I keep hearing is the first 30 seconds. That's all I need.  Yes, it's a gospel song; and yes, it's about the Holy Ghost. But have you received the power since you believed, or can you really believe without receiving power?

This isn't about religion or spirituality. Just a simple question, derived from a conversation I've been having with a friend.

My friend is planning to launch a business.  He STRONGLY believes in his ability to succeed, as most people do. However, his excitement over his product is contagious to the degree that he makes you feel like you HAVE TO give it a try, just to see if it's as great as he says. I realized he has the zeal that many of us are missing.

One thing I know for sure is that I'm talented.  I'm not bragging, but it's a fact.  There is NOTHING I've ever truly desired that I wasn't able to accomplish.  I am the creative type. If I can see it, I can figure out how it's made and replicate it. I have no problem with doing research or following guides, learning from others, and making adaptations to make things my own. Here is where my problem lies.  I make and do things for myself.... and keep them to myself. I am a gift hoarder.

I am a gift hoarder who worries about what I don't have. I'm frustrated when I want to  make something but because of other obligations, I can't purchase the supplies for what I want to make. I celebrate the success of others while also questioning why I'm not as far ahead as I'd like to be.  As of today, I don't have that question anymore.  I have the answer: I haven't truly believed in myself.  When you believe in yourself, in another person, in an entity, in ANYTHING, nothing can stop you from realizing your dream, supporting someone else, or backing a concept. And each of us has SOMETHING that can sustain us for our lives and through future generations.

Think I'm lying? What is Subway? Somebody made sandwiches for others and gave them the option to put a variety of toppings and condiments on them. According to QSR Magazine, in 2008, Subway was ranked No. 2 by Entrepreneur magazine in its 2008 list of the world’s best franchises. The year prior, Forbes magazine ranked Fred DeLuca (Subway's co-founder) one of the 400 richest Americans.

FROM A SANDWICH!

Who is Oprah Winfrey? A media mogul! A journalist who cared enough to get to the bottom of things that she created an empire from sharing other people's lives! That's all a talk show is. Come and tell me what's going on in your life/career/area of expertise. I'm going to share it with the world, and every now and then I'll share my opinion.  Some people will agree with me, others won't; but the controversy will be enough to keep people engaged and to check back the next day to see what's going on.

I remember seeing a guy wash his car over 10 years ago.  His car was so clean that I asked him how much he would charge me to clean mine. At that time, he wasn't operating a detailing business, but he did wash my car. He didn't accept any money from me, but I was willing to pay for his gift. He LOVED working with vehicles. He said he just liked seeing them clean and knowing he did it. Now, he has a business where he completely restores vehicles!

If I could pay a maid TODAY, I would. It's not that I can't clean.  Some people are just more gifted at it than I am. They might vacuum daily while I do it every other day. I might wash my dishes, put them away, and clean my sink while a maid would go the extra step to then dry the sink and wipe fingerprints from the faucet.

How many different musicians are there in the world? Why are there so many? Because each of them has a gift that they know the world needs. Personally, I listen to a lot of artists that are unknown in the industry.  They may not have recording or distribution deals, but they often believe in themselves enough to invest in themselves, knowing that somebody somewhere is willing to pay for their gifts.... And I do.

I could go on and on about this, but I think you get my drift. We are all gifted in some areas, and while not everyone will share our beliefs that we are the best at what we do, someone will and will be willing to pay for it. This is not to say that everyone should be an entrepreneur.  However, some are gifted at serving others to maximum degree. These individuals are the ones that advance in their careers.  They believed in themselves enough to find the ways to excel. Now, I go back to my song.  Have you received "the power" since you believed? If you find yourself in a place of lack but know you are gifted at something that no one can do quite like you, I urge you to find "the power" and catapult yourself to your destiny.

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