Did You Have A Tough Childhood?
Many claim intense childhood trauma "damages" a person in their adult years.
But is this necessarily true? We all have obstacles and hardships -- some of us more so than others. But although you had a tough childhood, this does NOT mean you'll have problems or failures over your entire lifetime.
Actually -- just the opposite is true!
Intense difficulties, hardships and major obstacles are actually often *major* contributors to one's success.
It's true that difficult childhoods do leave some people wounded and disadvantaged. But for others ... a tough childhood actually drove them to outrageous achievement and success! The difference is one's resourcefulness and determination.
Adversity and Greatness
In a classic book -- Cradles of Eminence -- researchers Victor and Mildred Goertzel reviewed the childhood family life of 700 of the world's most successful people.
Their goal was to identify the early experiences that contributed to the remarkable achievements of these successful people.
All of their "research subjects" are widely known for their personal accomplishments. Their names are easily recognizable: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Helen Keller, Winston Churchill, Albert Schweitzer, Gandhi, Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, etc.
What they discovered was fascinating!
Three-quarters of these successful people (525 of the 700) came from deeply troubled childhoods. They had endured extreme poverty, broken homes ... and even parental abuse.
Over one-fourth (199 of the 700) had to deal with very serious physical handicaps such as deafness, blindness or crippled limbs. And over 80% of those who became successful writers and playwrights had watched their own parents struggle with intense psychological dramas.
The Goertzel's concluded that the drive to "compensate" for their disadvantages actually drove these people straight into the arms of outrageous personal achievement.
The Triumph of a "Homely" Woman
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, a former U.S. "First Lady" provides an excellent example. Anna was orphaned at 10, and had a childhood of utter anguish.
As a young girl she was painfully aware of being very homely. And her childhood writings reveal she never had a sense of "belonging" anywhere, or to anyone.
According to Victor Wilson of the Newhouse News Service, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was "a rather humorless introvert (and) an unbelievably shy young woman, unable to overcome her personal insecurity ... and with a deep conviction of her own inadequacies."
But as she matured, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt refused to remain "disadvantaged."
She took hold of her own bootstraps and began to pull herself up into a higher, more powerful consciousness.
After marrying, she ended up courageously nursing her husband through crippling polio. Then when he (Franklin Roosevelt) was elected to the U.S. Presidency in the depth of the Great Depression, Mrs. Roosevelt quickly transformed the position of First Lady.
As First Lady, she became an outspoken supporter for the downtrodden of all races, religions and countries -- at the same time managing the White House, and raising six children. (Do YOU consider yourself "too busy" to reach out and claim your full potential?)
After her husband's death, she spent the remainder of her life as a highly-respected American spokesperson to the United Nations.
At her death this shy, disadvantaged, homely and withdrawn young woman had became one of the most loved and revered women of her entire generation. WHY did this happen?
Eleanor Roosevelt made a PERSONAL CHOICE to lift herself beyond her perceived "limitations."
As Victor Wilson said, "From some inner wellspring, Mrs. Roosevelt summoned a tough, unyielding courage, tempered by remarkable self-control and self-discipline."
The "Adversity Principle"
Obstacles and hardships do NOT have to lead to failure! "Adversity causes some men to break, and others to break records," says William Ward.
Scientific evidence has proven that "well-being" is NOT always an advantage for either plants or animal. Where there is no challenge, obstacle or hardship ... growth and development is often limited.
Biologists refer to this as the "adversity principle."
Consider Lou Gehrig: Lou was such a clumsy kid that the boys in his neighborhood wouldn't let him play on their baseball team. But he tapped into his source of inner courage and determination. Lou Gehrig is today listed in the baseball "Hall of Fame" as one of the greatest ball players of all time.
Then there was Woodrow Wilson, who couldn't read until he was ten years old. Wilson went on in his life to become the twenty-eighth President of the United States.
Plus ... Thomas Edison was stone-cold deaf, Booker T. Washington was born in slavery, and Lord Byron was crippled by a "club foot." The famous writer Robert Louis Stevenson had tuberculosis. Alexander Pope had an unsightly hunchback, and Julius Caesar was an epileptic.
Yet each of these individuals became famous historic figures in spite of (or perhaps *because of*) their handicaps.
Helen Keller, who could not hear or see, transformed an entire nation when she graduated with honors from college. She is still a source of inspiration for millions.
Then there's Ludwig van Beethoven. Beethoven began to lose his hearing in his 20s, and was completely deaf by 50. Yet he created some of the world's most beautiful music. He was once overheard shouting at the top of his voice, "I will take life by the throat!"
A Call to Action
This is your personal call to action!
Your ATTITUDE toward any perceived personal "handicap" determines its impact on your life.
This IS your life! Why not make it all it can be?
Recall this the next time you're tempted to focus on any personal weaknesses or past pain to rationalize failure.
To become all we can be, we MUST stop making excuses.
Use any personal adversity or perceived limitations to do what Beethoven did: Let lose with a life-affirming roar and "grab life by the throat."
Grab Life By the Throat!
Are you sick and tired of settling for less? This is a good day to take action to claim more of your TRUE POTENTIAL. Get past your "old stuff" my friend, and fire yourself up! If not now, when???
The author, Dr Jill Ammon-Wexler, is a doctor of psychology, pioneer brain/mind researcher, and former advisor to the Pentagon, a Presidential Commission, and numerous top executives and executive teams.
The author of several books and hundreds of articles, she is also the co-founder of quantum-self.com, and the Creative Director of the Self Discovery Community. She can be reached at: drjill@quantum-self.com
Come visit the exciting Self Discovery Community. Discover the most interesting, unusual, stimulating and creative methods of self discovery on the web today! Free sizzling weekly ezine, and the web's first Brain Gym ezone. http://www.quantum-self.com
 Google News Updated : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:49:07 GMT As Palin Brings Up Ayers, Obama Team Cites Keating - Washington Post
Washington Post - By Anne E. Kornblut and Michael Abramowitz The presidential campaign of Sen. Barack Obama for the first time criticized Sen. John McCain for his role in the "Keating Five" savings-and-loan scandal yesterday, saying the issue was fair game after a ... Video: AP Campaign Minute McCain ready for combat in 2nd presidential debate Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:17:08 GMT Plaxico Burress takes Giants to school with tired act - New York Daily News
New York Daily News - Plaxico Burress with his son after the Giants win Super Bowl 42. Burress will need to get his act together if the Giants are to repeat as champs. Burress Returns to Giants, With No Regrets Unapologetic Plaxico Burress returns to Giants Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:10:29 GMT Injury forces May-Treanor to sit out this 'Dancing' - USA Today
USA Today - By Bill Keveney, USA TODAY Two-time Olympic gold medalist Misty May-Treanor may be sidelined from ABC's Dancing With the Stars, but she says she won't let a leg injury suffered during rehearsals stop her from competing in beach volleyball. Misty May-Treanor drops out of ‘Dancing’ May-Treanor vows torn achilles won't end her volleyball career ... Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:09:39 GMT Three Europeans win the 2008 Nobel for medicine - International Herald Tribune
International Herald Tribune - By Lawrence K. Altman The Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded Monday to three European scientists who discovered viruses behind two devastating illnesses, AIDS and cervical cancer. Aids and cervical cancer pioneers share Nobel award Nobel Prize to HPV Researcher Highlights Importance of Cervical ... Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:50:01 GMT China's Reputation On Product Safety Reaches a New Low - Washington Post
Washington Post - By Blaine Harden Even Burma -- where one of the world's most repressive and isolated military governments relies on trade with China -- has now warned its people to steer clear of all Chinese dairy products. Video: No Traces of Melamine in New Test of Milk Powder China vows overhaul of 'chaotic' milk industry Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:55:33 GMT Rays roll over White Sox, punch ticket to ALCS - Sports Network
Sports Network - Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - BJ Upton hit two solo homers, and the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Chicago White Sox, 6-2, to clinch their first berth in an American League Championship Series in franchise history. White Sox eliminated from post-season with Game 4 loss to Rays Rays Finish Off White Sox to Reach ALCS Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:14:13 GMT Computer Chip to Monitor Teen Drivers - ABC News
ABC News - By LISA STARK, MATT HOSFORD and KATE BARRETT Car keys -- long perceived as the keys to teenagers' freedom -- may soon be the best way for parents to monitor their every move. Going Along on the Ride With Junior Ford: Key limits speed, stereo volume Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:16:34 GMT Work At Home |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Living your successful life requires you to step out. I... Read More How healthy is your vision of yourself? How does your... Read More "Blankey" ? as in Security Blankey. OK? All parents know... Read More Starting and managing a business takes motivation and talent. It... Read More Everyone goes through that "in the blues" feeling once in... Read More These words came up powerfully for me these past few... Read More How are things going for you? Are you sitting on... Read More Studies have shown that on average an optimist will have... Read More Are you having a hard time getting things done? Are... Read More The ladder was braced against the railings going to the... Read More If you really want to be at your absolute peak... Read More What CHOICE do you want to make?Dictionary* says:the act of... Read More They say that the way to have a positive attitude... Read More All of the books that we will ever need to... Read More We're all familiar with the cycle:We want new, but resist... Read More H appiness depends upon your outlook on life.A ttitude is... Read More We can all learn a valuable lesson about the types... Read More When I listen to people tell me about some of... Read More Being let go; suffering redundancy; experiencing downsizing are all very... Read More 1. "I'm too old to make a change." Maybe you're... Read More Listen. If you don´t beat procrastination at work the long... Read More Every day clients tell me about their problems, often in... Read More If you wear many hats, manage a family and/or a... Read More If I knock at your door hold your hand take... Read More Engaging in genuine discipline requires that you develop the ability... Read More
Adsense
websites
Step Out
Prime That Pump! Part 3
Its My Blankey and Im Keeping It!
Keep Motivated To Succeed Online!
Curing the Blues - 14 Feel-Good Ways to Get Out of the Dumps
Under The Guise of Care and Concern
Victorious Living
Optimistic Vs Pessimistic
Three Simple Ways to Motivate Yourself Today!
How Much Risk Is Too Much To Take?
To Boost Your Brain, Move That Body!
Words That Inspire - CHOICE
Get Negativity Out Of Your Life!
Read All the Books
Whats Stopping You?
Happy New Year
A Quick Observation of the Low Class
What Is The Value In Wanting To Accomplish Something?
How to Make the Most of Being Let Go
Top 5 Reasons Why Youre Not Living Your Dream
How To Beat Procrastination At Work
The Solutions to Lifes 10 Biggest Problems!
How to Get rid of the ?Overwhelm? Monster
Hello! It Is Opportunity Calling!
The Time to Act
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Your Life Just OK? It Doesnt Have To Be That Way! Live the Life You Really Want To Live!
I have some questions for you. Are you ready? How... Read More
Are You an Optimist or a Pessimist?
I have been giving some thought lately to optimism and... Read More
Your Growing Edge
You've probably heard the term "leading edge" used to refer... Read More
Keep the Channel Open
Why do you do what you do? What is your... Read More
The 31 Absolute Best Resources for Self Improvement
Every week, I hear from people with the same Self... Read More
Boost Your Bottom Line by Asking Powerful Questions
"He who asks questions cannot avoid the answers." -African ProverbPowerful... Read More
How Do I Stop Procrastinating?
Often times we procrastinate because it just seems like so... Read More
We Are Trying To
How many times have you heard this in your life?... Read More
Ten Major Causes of Failure
-Lack of a specific purpose in life. You can not... Read More
Mortgage Marketing - How to Maximize Your Motivation
Do you have the motivation to succeed in the mortgage... Read More
Seeing Through the Pain
We must all suffer one of two things: the pain... Read More
A Few Simple Things You Must Do If You Want To Be Wealthy
Making money is easy when you move to cause rather... Read More
L-I-V-E-- 12 Steps to Living Your Life
Many of us only inhabit our lives- we do not... Read More
The Thrivers Secrets to Success?: It Starts With Your Attitude - Get a Grip and Go®!
What impact would it have on your professional and personal... Read More
How to Get Motivated and Have Industrial Strength Self-Motivation
It is not your fault if popular self-help courses have... Read More
Hello! It Is Opportunity Calling!
If I knock at your door hold your hand take... Read More
Practice, Practice, Practice
It may sound silly but the key to self-confidence and... Read More
Nine Reasons To Embrace Failure
I've always heard that "public speaking" is the number one... Read More
Three Simple Ways to Motivate Yourself Today!
Are you having a hard time getting things done? Are... Read More
The Easy Way To Lasting Self Motivation
Will power alone will never work over the long term.... Read More
Life?s an Illusion
I'll get right to the point. Life is not necessarily... Read More
Questions for the Game of Life
"If you could eliminate one day from your past so... Read More
Want Real Change in Your Life? Take Action!
It's easy to begin a year with analysis: months, days... Read More
Step Out
Living your successful life requires you to step out. I... Read More
Motivation: If Today Were the Last of All Days
"If today were the last of all days........" - Marilyn... Read More
Motivation |