Believe in Self

Championship golfer, Arnold Palmer has never flaunted his success. Although he has won hundreds of trophies and awards, the only trophy in his office is a bettered little cup that he got for his first professional win at the Canadian Open in 1955.

In addition to the cup, he has a lone framed plaque on the wall. The plaque tells you why he has been successful on and off the golf course. It reads:
If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don’t.
If you like to win but think you can’t,
It’s almost certain that you won’t.
Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger woman or man,
But sooner or later, those who win
Are those who think they can.

Arnold Palmer isn’t alone in his determination to believe in himself. Here are some other notable sources: “If you believe you can do a thing, you can do it.” Claude M. Bristol and “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you are right.” Henry Ford.

If you have ever watched a baby learn to walk, you see an undaunted spirit pushing forward. Something within the infant wants to expand his capabilities. It is probably not thought out so much as it is an inner urge to try something new, put his foot out and attempt to balance on his wobbly legs. His effort is doubled and quadrupled and repeated a hundred times. Gravity works against him, pulling him down in another failed effort. Yet he prevails and pulls himself up again. The baby can either enjoy his efforts or become discouraged and unhappy. Either way he continues on until one day his legs are strong, his body finds balance and he can walk. Success at last!

In much the same way, you can observe an eagle in its natural habitat? Watch it taking off, its powerful wings beating the air as it increases height. Nothing can hold it back. Once more, it is the spirit of the eagle expressing itself -- undaunted, undefeatable.
Palmer, Bristol, Ford, the baby and eagle – all expressing the same thing. You have that same spirit. If you allow your mind to be filled with good things, you remain young, strong, undaunted like an eagle. You are able to soar higher and higher from goal to goal. Believe in yourself! Be an eagle!
“The barrier between failure and success is not something which exists in the real world; it is composed purely and simply of doubts about your ability.” Mark Caine