What you create, you become
In the Ghetto is a 20th Century hit song made famous by King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. If you have not heard it, I encourage you to listen to it. It is a beautiful song but it is also a very tragic one. As you listen to its lyrics, you discover a cruel cycle of dismal circumstances. It tells a story about an impoverished mother giving birth to a baby boy in the ghetto of Chicago. As the ballad begins, the infant's mother cries as she is already downtrodden and "if there's one thing that she don't need, it's another hungry mouth to feed". The stage has already been set for failure because the mother is riddled with lack - both financially and emotionally. Automatically, it is assumed that because of these conditions, this young infant will one day grow to be an angry young man. The tragedy is not so much that it actually transpires, but ultimately that the self-fulfilling prophecy leads to a young man's demise. This is part of the Pygmalion Effect.
In society, people are often stereotyped by others - especially in relationship to social class and education (or rather lack thereof). James Rhem, Ph.D., has said, "How we believe the world is and what we honestly think it can become have powerful effects on how things will turn out." Ability can and does play a role in what we achieve in life, but in the end, perception and confidence in realizing these achievements are the most critical factors. Whatever you do, do not label yourself unworthy or incapable of achieving greatness because it will become a self-prophecy.
As the title suggests, what you create, you become. The truth of the matter is that your belief system - the psychological and emotional kind, which adhere to the belief in self and how far you will be able to go in life is the deciding force that will enable you to succeed. For instance, if you tell a child that she can do anything she wants if she sets her mind to it, you equip her with a powerful mindset to realize her potentiality. If you tell that same child she will never amount to anything, you eventually destroy her spirit and the willpower to create success and happiness. A campaign slogan used by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) in 1972, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste," has helped empower over 400,000 minority students to graduate college. The UNCF further reiterated that people have the capacity to do amazing things, but without an education will never have the opportunity. It is a powerful belief system - knowing that when you empower others (and self) to create and achieve wondrous things, all things are indeed possible.
Today, I want you to create what you desire then you will become what you want.. Stop holding onto negative statements or teachings that have told you otherwise; you are a powerful and an emotionally-intelligent being. You have the mind-power to create and accomplish extraordinary things in your life. If you have been thinking about going back to school and keep putting it off - why? If you want to start your own business but do not believe you can be successful - why? No matter your age or circumstance, I encourage you to pursue your dreams. Nurture the seeds of your mind, heart and soul and blossom into the wonder, the beauty and the success that you are intended to be. No man, no situation, no economic factor, no deed, and no thought can ever prevent you from achieving your life dreams--for that is the miracle you have been searching for.
Joan Marie Ambrose