Harnessing Your Full Potential

Wow! Just 2 days of not updating and everyone's on my tail, even people I never knew were following Michael's Opinions. I'm truly astounded, dumbfounded, shocked to say the least, pleasantly though I must add. Please keep the emails, calls and comments coming. They've been an immense source of encouragement. I want start by apologising for the little "break in transmission". It was due to circumstances beyond my control (sounds familiar right? hehe). Anyway I've been going through a whole lot lately, haven't really had time to blog. It's been utterly difficult, especially considering the fact that everything I write is spontaneous, straight from the heart. Nevertheless, I'm here again with something fresh. (I'm terribly sorry. This might very well be my last post this week as I have other projects I'm embarking upon that are struggling for my attention so I'll make it a bit lengthier than usual.) Ready?

So there's this phenomenal artiste that comes to mind thinking about the title of today's post, great musician, exceptional vocalist who renders unbelievably energetic performances where you can almost touch her emotions. Entirely in a class of her own in my humble opinion! If I just heard you mention Beyoncé Knowles, then you're spot on! There's this song from her album, 4, titled "I Was Here". I can vividly remember the first time I listened to that song, the lyrics, the emotions...it just reawakened something in me, something I probably had long forgotten. (By the way, do you also get goosebumps when you listen to soul-inspiring music?)

If you're anything like me you probably grew up with great big dreams. I can remember I always had the perfect idea of what my future would be like even before I was 5. I wanted to be an actor, a performer...basically anything that would involve me being in front of the camera. I just loved to entertain. Fortunately I was very brilliant as well, and though I didn't really know if I wanted to be an Engineer, Lawyer or Doctor, I knew I wanted to be a famous whatever-it-was-going-to-be. Fast-forward a couple of years. I was well on my way to achieving those dreams, how I let them fizzle away I still don't understand. Is your story similar? Whatever happened to those aspirations?

The world we live in today has been so designed by us that we are forced to pick just one or two facets of our very rich, multi-faceted personalities and focus solely on them. Do you remember the look on your dad's face when your sister said she wanted to be a doctor and a professional musician at the same time? Or the priceless look on your mom's when you told her you wanted to play professional Football after Law School? The truth is, we never can tell which of our talents, gifts or skills will set us apart from the crowd, fulfilling the purpose of our existence. We just can't!

Don't you think it's high time you started doing all those things you've always wanted? Those talents you've buried (remember what the Bible says about talents in Matthew 25:14-30 right?), those dreams you've given up on so prematurely, those aspirations that always filled your happiest of imaginations as a child, those things you find yourself doing every now and then that people compliment you on and massively commend, don't you think it's time you let them find expression in your everyday life? What do you stand to lose anyway? Now imagine all you could (and most probable will) gain? I took this decision a couple of years ago and it's one decision I'll never regret. Deciding to give my peculiarities expression did something wonderful for me. It made me realise I had so many more talents than I would ever have thought. I never believed, for instance, that one day I would consider being a motivational speaker or writer. That's what happens when you let God see how well you're utilising all He's given you!

There's someone somewhere right now who needs to read this more than you do. It would be most unfair for you not to share this with the people you love and wish well. Everyone wants to leave their footprints on the sands of time and know there was something meaningful they left behind when they're gone. There's no better feeling than dying in the full consciousness that you brought the world happiness by giving it your all. Die empty! There's absolutely nothing more painful than what-if's, knowing there's a possibility you could have been happier and more satisfied if you had done things a bit differently. You're an awesome creation I tell you! If you haven't realised this yet, it's probably because you've decided to focus more on your weaknesses, shortcomings and imperfections.

Dear friend, it's time to realise your strengths. It's time to let go of the restrictions you've allowed yourself be subject to. Yes, It's time to harness your full potential! God bless you!