Creating the “Audacity of Hope”
By Lydia M. Douglas
Author and Motivational Speaker
www.booksbylydia.com

What does Audacity mean?…….. It means Boldness.

After reading President Barack Obama’s book,
I thought, we all need that “Audacity of Hope”.

I challenge you to not just talk about great people, why not reach up and get your share and become a great person yourself? It is not just set-aside for others; you have a share as well. Education will allow you to live your life with a great measure of dignity. Education is the key that will unlock any door in any direction you choose. Education will give you that pervious or (right of passage) spirit of hope. Have the audacity to believe in you. You cannot blame anyone except yourself if you do not get to the place in your life where you want to believe.

Why is education so important, you ask? Because we are standing on the shoulders of great leaders. I challenge you, as young people; do not allow their efforts, struggles, and deaths to be in vain. Doors have been opened, victory has been won, and the doors are waiting for you to cross over. Once you have that boldness, you will be able to see yourself crossing the finish line to your goals and dreams.

My generation has passed the Torch, now you all have to take it and go forth in order to keep those doors open. Education will allow you to have the audacity to open new doors. So, I ask you all to not allow your dreams and visions to dissipate or slip away. You all are impregnated with so much knowledge, and you have a lot of available resources. The sacrifice you make in getting your education is immeasurable, when you measure it up against a lifetime.

You are here to innovate, not to duplicate. Come up with new ideas; research new ways at finding cures. Study to find a cure for incurable diseases, or how older people can live longer. Find a cure for the common cold. I have a grandson that is Autistic for which, there is no cure; however, if you work hard to find a cure, parents won’t have to go through the pain of seeing their children with Autism.

Remember the torch has been passed and we expect great things from you all!!!! Whatever direction you choose, the doors are opened. Education is the key. If your dream were to break into a thousand little pieces, if you pick up just one of those little pieces, you can start over again and be one step closer to your goal.

Remember a million miles starts with one step. We all have struggles, but Education will be the strength for the struggle. Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t give up; figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.

You must have a made up mind, along with dreams and visions for yourself. Now that comes with hard work and determination. Always have a plan and then you must put it into action, other wise it is just a plan. All you have to do is make up your mind as to what you want out of life, how to get there, and go for it. You are already Empowered with everything you need on the inside to make all of your dreams come true. Granted, everyone is not going to be a doctor, lawyer, judge, or teacher. But we all have a purpose. We are all destined to do something. There is a purpose for all of us. You just have to find your destination.

I ask you, and expect you, to be the best at whatever you do. Become all that you can be, and allow the person on the inside to be seen by others on the outside. There lies within each person a hugh reservoir of untapped potential for achievement, success, happiness, health, and greater prosperity. It’s like a huge ocean unsailed, a new continent unexplored, a world of possibilities, waiting to be released and channeled toward some great good. Remember the future belongs to you. So if you resolve in advance, to persist until you succeed, then you will be successful at whatever you want to do in life.

Instead of talking about other great people, why not become one yourself???? Results are the best measure of human progress----not conversation, explanation, or justification…Results. A beautiful garden will be the result of your harvest. After all, results will speak for themselves. If you do not try, you will not succeed. Opportunity will not come and knock on your door--------you must do the knocking. There are many doors out there, do not allow them to remain closed. Education is the key that will and can unlock any door in any direction you choose.

You are standing on the shoulders of great leaders, as we all are, who have proven, whatever you want out of life can come to pass. But it is through hard work, persistence, and perseverance that we succeed. President Barack Obama is truly standing on the shoulders of great leaders. He has accomplished what was once thought to be impossible for African Americans. President Obama is walking through those doors that have been opened, but education has been the stepping-stone that has allowed him to walk through those doors. Achieving his goal began with him understanding the importance of education in securing his future.

Opportunity plus Ability equals Accountability. Opportunities are out there, Education will give you the Ability, and then, you are Accountable for your life and your future. Your success in life depends on the choices you make. Your choices do have consequences. So think about your choices before you make them.

Education will give you the Audacity of Hope.