By Rae Anthony
When Barack Obama decided to take a shot at politics, he had a lot at stake. Before taking a swing at the US presidency, he tried his hand in other areas, but the journey wasn’t as smooth as some would imagine. I found out more about the former president’s journey whilst listening to “Art of Power” a podcast by Aarti Shahani.
Whilst I enjoyed the interview immensely, one part stuck with me: his innate desire to succeed and how far it’s brought him. When the host questioned him about a hurdle he’d faced, (he’d lost a number of battles as he struggled to make his way to the top and he’d been humiliated considerably), his response blew me away. In that moment, I realized why he became president.
So why? Why did Barack Obama persevere even when the journey wasn’t always the easiest?
“At the end of the day, the worst that could happen is you get embarrassed. I figured I’d been embarrassed in the past and survived, I could do it one more time.”
In the end, he won the hearts of many, leaving an indelible mark on the campaign trail, and of course, he emerged victorious.
The message was clear: in order to be successful, one must be prepared to face challenges. These challenges sometimes will be even greater than you anticipated, and for some individuals, it will undoubtedly bring tears. Carry on. The journey might get tough, but in the end, it will all be worth it.
Many successful individuals have shared this same message. Many of them were rejected, ridiculed, and often, they were told that they would never make it, only to prove their naysayers wrong in the end.
You CAN make it. And if you put in the work, you WILL make it. Perhaps no one believes in you, that’s okay, stay focused, you’ve got this!
Barack Obama recognized that in order to change the world, he needed courage. Courage, undoubtedly, served him well in the end.
Have a good weekend guys. Remember with Jesus, all things are possible.
Sincerely, as always,
Rae.
