Don't Save Anything for the Swim Back

Have you ever almost drowned?  If so, you will know what I'm writing about.  If not, just try an experiment right now...  Yes, right there in your chair is fine.  Now, Stop breathing!  As the seconds tick by you will begin to experience some physiological changes in your body and your mind will start to race.  You will become aware of your heart beating LOUDLY.  Pressure seems to build within you until you feel your head will BURST.  You need oxygen! You WANT oxygen!  You control how long you will try this experiment, so you can take a breath anytime you want, but imagine if there were an attacker trying to choke you, cutting off your air supply.  How hard would you fight back?  Is there anything you wouldn't do in your attempt to take your next breath?  I don't think so.

Now ask yourself if there anything else you are as deeply committed to obtaining as that oxygen?  Anything that you are so focused on achieving, such that nothing can get in your way?  Have you ever observed someone who is so laser focused on a goal that they don't turn to the left or right -- they just press forward, steadfast in the direction that will lead them to victory.  Because of their determination you just know they will win.  Deep down we all probably have something that drives us in this manner.  The key to achieving our personal best in all the important aspects of our lives is identifying that "something" and then harnessing the associated will power exhibited in those situations, so we can leverage it in all our endeavors.

Gattaca is a movie I like because it depicts someone with extraordinary will power.  Vincent is someone who is not expected to amount to a hill of beans because he doesn't have the "genetic" superiority that is required to be great.  He shows what happens when we dream big, setting our sights on the stars, when we work hard and never give up.

As you watch the clip below you will get a sense for Vincent's unconquerable spirit, especially as he interacts with his brother, Anton, whose genetic makeup was manipulated to produce a superior human specimen.  I love watching  the segment where it all clicks for Vincent and changes the course of everything for him.  I've had a couple of similar "break throughs" in my life where I have realized that I was not as weak as I thought.  I am in search of more of them, and also love to help others recognize the strengths within themselves.  Enjoy!