America is the ultimate melting pot of talent, of culture, of everything that is different quilted into one.   It is the amalgamation of myriads of independently working parts, each performing well defined and specific functions crucial to the maintenance and advancement of the nation.  This wonderful collection of variety creates opportunities that are limitless in nature. It allows a certain form of individualism to emerge that is based not only on one’s determination to succeed, but also on the selection of specific areas in which to excel.   Simply put, America is what it is today because of our labor. In turn, the country rewards us with numerous possibilities to succeed and achieve great dreams.  Success, however, is not haphazardly obtained. Like most things in life that are dear, it comes with a price tag.          If there is so much to be gained, then why are so many of us struggling to barely survive in America? Why do many of our people become comfortable in poverty, and allow themselves no other alternative but to stop trying? Above all, why do so many of us readily accept the false notion that there is something wrong with being financially successful?           A serious reflection on my part reveals a most disturbing truth. Somehow, we have been conditioned to subconsciously enjoy the detrimental process of attempting to find comfort in discomfort itself. Even when we know we can do better, even when information is readily available, we actively choose to remain stagnant. We make every effort to remain in a mechanical and robotic mode, even when all arrows point to a need for change. For instance, we all know there are many ways to put our money to work for us. We have heard of them and we even know of people who have had success with them. But what do we do?  Figuratively speaking, we make the decision to put our money under our mattresses.  We stress ourselves and others in trying to protect it, while enduring the same daily rigors the money was supposed to alleviate in the first place.           There are many variables at play here that relate to the price tag mentioned earlier. As a people, we are not willing to pay the price of educating ourselves on issues relating to money or even our health for that matter. We are not willing to pay the price of adjusting our attitude in order to become more receptive to various ideas and more assertive in our behavior. We are not willing to pay to price of rising above racism and discrimination and boldly taking possession of what is rightfully ours. Finally, we are not willing to pay the price of taking risks and of not succeeding the very first time.  Our unwillingness to take initiative enslaves our spirit, locks up our sense of creativity and keeps us in stagnation.  So what exactly is the price tag? It is very important to note that price does not always have to have a dollar sign associated with it. The price of educating ourselves involves the recognition and exploration of opportunities as they come along. For example, we can discipline ourselves to listen to radio programs that address financial matters.  We can trade trashy television programs for others that offer excellent useful information on diverse subjects.  The price of adjusting our attitude involves utilizing to a greater extent, the art of listening; the practice of making every attempt to fully understand before formulating our own arguments. It involves the willingness to open ourselves to new experiences as opposed to a constant reliance on old ones.    The price of rising above racism and discrimination involves making an irrevocable decision to keep knocking until a door opens; to stop blaming the system for our failures; to build up strength and power by uniting with our brothers and sisters; to create our own opportunities when the need arises; and to silently but ever so effectively educate the enemy in the process.    Aside from the obvious, the price of risk taking involves the willingness, patience and faith to believe in the unknown and anticipate positive outcomes. That, I know, is easier said than done. When I face challenges pertaining to risk taking and failure, a wonderful phrase I once heard always comes to mind: “A setback is a setup for a comeback.”     I urge you to take the first step toward success.  Embrace each opportunity as if it never would come your way again. A nineteenth century writer once wrote: “Unless a man has trained himself for his chance, the chance will only make him look ridiculous. A great occasion is worth to a man exactly what his preparation enables him to make of it.” So prepare yourself by beginning to pay the price for the rewards that await you individually and as a people. In the words of Dennis Kimbro and Napoleon Hill (Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice, 1991), “Opportunities abound. The world waits to judge our valuation of ourselves, to see what we do with those opportunities that have escaped our grasp for so many years. The door has now opened, and the freedom to walk through is ours.”

Maryse A. Nelson, LPT, MBA Business Consultant, Professional Speaker, Trainer Tri-Care Rehabilitation, Inc Kissimmee, Florida (407)-847-0900   mmms4ever@aol.com

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