Earlier this month, I received advice from someone who is currently enjoying a great deal of national success. The experience was monumental because much of what was freely shared were support tactics that I had been searching many years for.

This person’s willingness to share resources, make recommendations and offer sincere encouragement was refreshing. Too often successful individuals sit in the driver’s seat of their lives with no rearview or side-view mirrors.

In 2006 I recall riding in the car with my son when a song came on the radio with lyrics I have not forgotten. Rapper Mike Jones, in his song “Back Then,” made a profound lyrical statement, even though for me it came from an unlikely source. The hook basically said, “Back then they didn’t want me, now I am hot they are all on me.”

I often think back to a childhood friendship with the now-retired boxer, Sugar Ray Leonard. In 1976, Ray won the gold, though not favored to do so. As you might imagine, following both the bringing home of the medal and his signing professionally, suddenly everyone knew Ray. Everywhere you went, people were talking about always knowing he had talent. I often thought, where were all those folks when the mothers were holding fundraisers to get him to the Olympics?

It’s easy to celebrate our success. And if we are not careful, we can start believing our own press releases. But if we are honest, we know that somebody opened a door that gave us an opportunity to show our stuff. For me, it was Ina Siler, Ph.D., retired vice president of organizational effectiveness at Home Box Office.

Success is such a mighty blessing. As a matter of fact, the apostle Luke, throughout Chapter 12, illustrates for us that to whom much is given, much is required.

The truth is, before our degrees, positions and somebody other than our parents knowing our names, we held only hope.

Somebody today with little more than a dream will cross your path. Just one word from you might be all they need to break through to their destiny. The testimonies that God equips us with, embraced properly, can serve as a “you too can do it” message to a person at the starting line.

Zechariah 4:10 for me says it best: “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…”

If we miss our opportunity to help that person who is sincere and determined, we could be missing our opportunity to give a leg up to the next Mike Jones or Sugar Ray Leonard.

***
Tanya is an inspirational speaker and author who lives in Charlotte, N.C. Friend her on Facebook or email her at tw360you@aol.com.

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