Work With What You Have


By Rebecca McClain


The world was abuzz last week after the 47-year old Scottish "spinster", Susan Boyle, mesmerized us with her vocal performance on Britain's Got Talent. In less than a week, her rendition of Les Miserables, I Dream a Dream, has been viewed over forty million times on YouTube. As beautiful as her voice is, her sudden popularity has as much to do with her appearance as it does with her talent. The moment she stepped on stage, she was viewed as a joke--old, frumpy and unattractive.

Ignoring the obvious laughter and jeers from the audience (and sarcasm from the judges), Susan displayed absolute confidence from start to finish. She may not have possessed the outer beauty that the world has come to judge as attractive, but she worked what she had! She worked it so well that the same audience that booed when she stepped on stage ended on their feet applauding with tears streaming down their faces. Why? Because we love to see the underdogs prevail. Who would have thought...?

You can never judge a book by its cover! What hidden talents are you withholding--perhaps out of fear, unbelief or lack of confidence? Most people sit on the sidelines of life as spectators watching others live out their dreams. Incubating inside of them are innovative ideas, unexpressed gifts & talents and creative genius. They recognize that they have more potential, yet they can't seem to break out of the mold. The desire is there but they are constrained by their own self-imposed limitations.

Perhaps your head is waging a war with your heart; your reality with your desire. Do you know that people would be shocked to know all that you possess inside? I find it interesting that many people, who know my history, are amazed that I went from a 20-year career as a tax professional to writing, speaking and life coaching. I'm confident that you're not one-dimensional either. Deciding to a "stay put" and play yourself small doesn't serve you well, or anybody else for that matter. You can choose to stay in your safety zone--focusing solely upon self preservation or live a larger, more fulfilling life.

This week I encourage you to get ready to make your grand entrance. Step away from the sidelines and onto the playing field. You might not have Halle Berry's looks or Celine Dion's voice. Sometimes sheer desire will take you much further than outer beauty (or talent) ever could. Don't focus on what you don't have. Acknowledge what you do have and work it! If you happen to have beautiful features (face, hair, hands, physique, etc.), then throw it all in the mix and work that too!

Take Action Challenge

What's holding you back from working what you've got? Write it all down and then decide what you intend to do about it. Will you "stay put" or go with the desires of your heart? It might not be wise for you to step out with reckless abandon, but setting an intention is a starting point.

Rebecca McClain is founder of Life Treasures LLC, a life enrichment company. As an entrepreneur, author, speaker and life coach, she is recognized as an expert in personal and professional success.

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Inspirational Information:

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Group 5 Group 6 Group 7 Group 8 Group 9 Group 10 Group 11 Group 12 Group 13 Group 14 Group 15 Group 16 Group 17 Group 18 Group 19 Group 20 Group 21 Group 22 Group 23 Group 24 Group 25 Group 26 Group 27 Group 28 Group 29 Group 30 Group 31 Group 32 Group 33 Group 34 Group 35 Group 36 Group 37 Group 38 Group 39 Group 40 Group 41 Group 42 Group 43 Group 44 Group 45 Group 46 Group 47 Group 48 Group 49 Group 50 Group 51 Group 52 Group 53 Group 54 Group 55 Group 56 Group 57

Related Articles

There Is Always Room For Improvement
When I was twelve my parents bought me a five foot snooker table for my birthday. This turned out to be the best present I was ever bought and I quickly became hooked on the game.
Playing with Matches
Matches are all about power; a new world opens up when you strike a match and see it burst into flames.Most all children go through a period of fascination with matches.
The Rumble in the Jungle: Revealing Greatness
The other night I was watching a documentary on that famous boxing match called The Rumble in the Jungle. The fight was between Muhammad Ali (Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee) and George Foreman.
A Time To Awake
What has become of your fondest dreams?If you were guaranteed success, what would dare to attempt?We all have dreams, deep inside?those moments when we take a voyage in our imagination, into a world where everything was possible. A world where fear is a strange concept, limits are non-existent and we are at peace with ourselves.
For Old Times Sake
Direct Answers - Column for the week of August 19, 2002I am currently going through a divorce, and we've been negotiating the terms of the settlement for a year and a half without agreement. I have started a relationship with another woman, but I'm in a saddening, irresponsible situation that was mischievously planned by the ex.
Is the Life Youre Living the Life You Want?
In pre-revolutionary Russia, a rabbi was walking to the synagogue. A Russian soldier stopped him and asked, "Who are you and what are you doing here?" The rabbi answered, "How much do they pay you for doing this job?" The soldier replied, "Twenty kopeks.
Does Your Childhood Hold You Back?
Have you come to a point in your life and got stuck and unable to move on?I've been shocked recently to discover how many women and men have suffered one trauma or another during childhood, in particular the amount that have been through abuse.The experience of abuse, at an age when it would be impossible to know how to handle it, is horrific, be it beatings, humiliation or sexual abuse.
Dreams Do Come True
Experience has made a lot of folks to consider dreams to be fantasies, unattainable, galaxies away from reality.Some folks believe dreams do come true.
Teachers Pet
Direct Answers - Column for the week of October 20, 2003I am 32 and a mom with two children. I've pretty much been single for two years.
Cool Children
It's funny how an acquaintance from the past just pops into your head sometimes. Usually the flashback is brought on by a phrase someone says, or a thought you have.
Tsunamis in the Bible?
I have always wondered how the Red Sea parted as described in the Exodus story of Moses.The recent Tsunamis that happened in West Sumatra and the tremendous destruction that came with it got me thinking - was this what really happened to the Egyptian army when they were pursuing the Hebrew people while they were led out of Egypt by Moses?On the internet, many eyewitness accounts can be obtained very fast.
Need A Boost? Take a Look at How Far Youve Come
Too many of us are too hard on ourselves, always alert to that devilish voice whispering "you should be farther along in life". Smother that voice right now by reading this quote by Booker T.
Emancipation
Direct Answers - Column for the week of September 8, 2003When is it time to divorce a family member?I've been helping my partner manage his father's long-term care. This entails working with his brother who controls the purse strings.
The Procrastinating Perfectionist
Are you a procrastinating perfectionist? I once read an article dealing with the fear of failure and success. The author described it as the following: "The curse of the procrastinating perfectionist".
Dream Board
DREAM IT, CREATE IT, BECOME ITIf you've been reading my newsletter for awhile, you know that I continue to incorporate and teach the 'how to' principles behind successfully achieving our goals and dreams. One important piece of wisdom I've gained is that nothing happens, no forward steps are taken until we first have a dream.
Generosity Is The Seed Of Wealth
Generosity, which includes the free, no strings-attached sharing of resources, money, and information among people, is the seed of prosperity. What was the initial seed planted that caused the "Silicon Valley Miracle" No, it was not the invention of the oscilloscope by David Hewlett and William Packard, but, rather, an act of no-strings attached generosity, the founding of Stanford University by Leland Stanford.
What If?
What If?What if I can't? What If I can?What I should be thinkingIs it in God's plan?What if I couldn't? What if I could? Then I start to wonder If I really should?What if I wouldn't? What if I would? What would I do, If others really understood?What if, I am beautiful, Just as I am. That a scale means nothing, When talking to a human.
Everybody is Somebody
I wrote about my life and all that I have had to go through. I also ended that story with a little bit about how my life has since changed, but I want to take it further.
Top 15 Inspirational Quotations
Get inspired and lift your spirits with these positive quotations that will surely stimulate your soul and perhaps motivate your mind..
All You Want is Within Your Reach
If there is one thing that I believe with all my heart it is that you canhave any life you choose to. You can live the life you have always dreamedof.