Set Your Ambition Loose

In creating a special gift for my friend Maya who graduates this month. I wanted to include words that encourage her to dream and work hard. I love this quote from Reese Witherspoon:

Ambition is not a dirty word.
It’s believing in yourself and your abilities.

– Reese Witherspoon

Maya has ambitious dreams, which include medical school and working towards a cure for cancer. It is exciting to hear her talking about what she wants to do with her life. I heard someone call her ambitious. I saw it as a compliment, someone else thought she was getting too big for her briches. I find it sad when people try to stomp on other people’s dreams. Sure Maya is young, sure she has a long way to go, and YES she will get knocked down more often than she thinks. The point is not that she alone will cure cancer. The point is that she is ambitious, smart and willing to work hard to find a cure…even if her efforts fail. Our world is better because women like her are willing to try.

All of us can think of times when we had big thoughts, ideas, and dreams. We can clearly remember our failures, and hopefully also remember our success. Both required effort on our part. Doing something – anything – requires taking a risk. It means believing enough to give it a try, AND it means being willing to endure the ups and downs that life throws our way. The greatest parts of our lives were accomplished because of ambition. That belief in yourself and your abilities got you from point A to point Q…slowly, sporadically, and even with a few wobbles here and there. You got there and won, or tumbled and tried again. You may not have ended up where you thought you would at the start, yet you are in life where your work and efforts have helped you land.

So let’s give a cheer for ambition! Whether yours is roaring loudly, suffering from a few set backs, or dying on the vine. NEVER let the circumstances of today prevent you from believing in yourself and your abilities. You have no idea what tomorrow will bring…adventure, courage, even a second or third chance. Find someone to encourage or you go get some encouragement for yourself. Either way, set your ambition loose and see how you can change your world!