This I Believe
“If you deliberately plan on being less than you are capable of being, then I warn you that you will be unhappy for the rest of your life.” (Maslow, Abraham). I think of this quote whenever I just want to give up on something. I can remember one specific event in my life that really helped me to realize that this was a quote to live by.
I was beginning the spring rodeo season of High School Rodeo hoping to do well to make up for my not so good fall season and the worst thing happened. My old, reliable horse died. I remember wondering what I was going to do? He was my ticket to the national finals. I considered giving up all of my hopes and dreams and just throwing in the towel. Instead I decided to pull myself up and continue.
With one week to find a horse for competition, I began the strenuous search for just the right horse. The horse that I ended up using was not exactly what I was looking for but I had to do the best with what I had. Three days later I was at my first rodeo of the season. As I entered the alleyway preparing to make my first run, I began to think about the one time I had practiced on this horse and how much I wanted my “old man” back. As they called my name though, I was ready and had to ride just like I had had this horse forever. I entered the arena with confidence and did the best that I could. Leaving the arena I heard the announcer say, “And that is your new time to beat”. I was ecstatic, I had beaten the odds. Not only had I conquered my negative thoughts, but I never gave up, and it paid off.
Later that night, I thought about all of the things I could accomplish simply by having confidence in myself. If I was just another person to take the easy way out and