Overcoming Obstacles

Somewhere down the line people came to the conclusion that we were entitled to a great life. Like we're owed it somehow. But the reality is that there is only one person responsible for how the cards fall, and that person is you.

Whether we walk our dogs or stand and let the dogs play in a dog park should not have any impact on our weight, should it?

Duffy's story offers a perfect example of a profound, but often overlooked truth about human toughness: Even the most physically punishing feats of endurance are less about the body than about the mind.

Your motivation system wants to help you achieve your goals. One way it does this is to naturally change the way you are thinking about a problem when you reach an obstacle.

What's the bottom line? Motivation is not the force that comes before the action -- it is you acting in your interests. Motivation comes after the behavior.

Would you take the risk of signing up for a marathon when you've never come close to running 26.2 miles before? Intimidating proposition for anyone, but imagine making this decision after losing much of your sight.

Whether you got a flat tire, felt rejected by a partner, got laid off from your job or are facing challenging health issues, this offers a sure path to greener pastures.

We tend to fall back on "I was only kidding" if they said something that wasn't particularly well-received, rather than take ownership of what they said. Fact is: even if he was only kidding, what's the point?

Are you willing to do what it takes to overcome what challenges you? When confronted with a difficult challenge, do you let your fears about coming up short stop you from taking any action at all?

Your life, like the planet, might seem precariously perched on the edge of destruction. But whatever problem you're facing, it contains the seed of your evolution, and will take your life to the next level if you'll let it.

This young stranger put into words something I had never thought of in terms of recovery. She made me realize that in order to recover from anything, you have to stop being afraid of hard.

People with limited abilities deserve at least as much respect as others get. They have overcome challenges that others have not, and have thus led much tougher lives than other people without those challenges.

Over the past couple of weeks, I have heard some of the most amazing stories of people overcoming racism and abuse in this country, and of people who continue to live under the stain of unbridled hatred.