Council On Library/Media Technicians

SET GOALS – CREATE CHANGE
by Debra J. Gammons, Attorney at Law
July 6, 2000, Chicago, Illinois

Sometimes in the moment of our greatest despair is the time we must hold our heads up and look forward. Those times are the hardest to look up and look forward, yet they are the precise times to not give in to pessimism and defeat.

Why? Because often the time of despair is the time before triumph – before victory. And, if we lose sight of our goals – we will lose. Yet, if we hang on – we will win. And by winning – I mean we will reach our goals or move closer to that goal.

I often think about people who have been in horrible conditions – slavery, prisoners of war, inhabitants of warring countries. If they knew that the next day or the next hour they would be free, their entire outlook would be different. If they knew the next day or the next hour the war was ending, would they hold on? Yes. Our situations are not as traumatic or as life threatening. But these illustrations reveal to us that triumph is possible, and often we do not know when or where victory will come.

What goal will I set? Why am I here? What is my purpose in life? These are questions we have asked ourselves or are asking. The theme of my 7^th grade yearbook at Alston Middle School in Summerville, South Carolina was: "Will it matter that I was?" Of all the yearbooks throughout high school and undergraduate school, I recall this theme, this question. Will it matter that I was? Will it matter that you exist?

To answer that question, we must return to the initial questions: Why am I here? What is my purpose? What goals will I set?

We have a purpose -- almost all of us -- certainly, all of us here. Unfortunately, some lose sight of their purpose early and move into a life of crime or insanity. Most of us have a purpose but are still grappling with its realization.

That purpose may be likened to a "calling." What is your calling? What has been an overwhelming desire in your life? When you contemplate doing what makes you happy, fulfilling and content – what are you doing? When you contemplate the goals that bring a smile to your face and excitement to your heart – what are those goals? When you think back to when you were a little child, what inspired you? What motivated you? When you answer these questions – you have the idea of your calling. Your calling is a purpose that holds you and will not let you go. It is the burning desire that you find yourself daydreaming about on a regular basis.

While campaigning for the senate race, people asked me at least three times a day, "Why are you running?" "When did you decide to run?" I answer: To serve as an elected official – a public servant; that is my calling. To help people help themselves is my calling. And, I always knew I would run. While growing up, I considered practicing medicine and teaching. While growing up, I ran for offices in student government, starting in elementary school, and continued at the College of Charleston and in law school. I wanted to help bring about positive changes. I wanted to provide a voice for all of my fellow students. I had a burning desire to make things a little better than they were. At the college of Charleston, I decided to go to law school – to help people and to gain an understanding of law, which would aid me in serving my constituents. Just as I felt this pull toward politics and was active politically, your calling is also pulling you toward it. Listen. Listen carefully.

When you can identify your calling, you are then able to set your goals, which will take you to the realization of your calling.

Will it matter that I was? Ask yourself that question.

In setting goals to reach our calling, we need to do certain things.

When you leave here today – at lunch, dinner, or before you retire tonight – write down your goals. What do you want to accomplish in your lifetime? And, even if you have written down your goals already, do it again. Place your list of goals in a place where you can get to it easily – your journal, Bible, personal planner, or calendar. If you do not own a journal - get one and begin to write down your thoughts, ideas, frustrations, joys. You can learn a great deal about yourself by keeping a journal.

Break down your list of goals into smaller tasks and work on those smaller tasks every single day.

Speak to close friends or family members – someone you trust. Remember, all people are not open-minded, intelligent, and encouraging. Some people, believe it or not, are mean, jealous, and discouraging. Limit your time with the latter group.

Speak to those you trust – Do not speak about your goals to those who will ridicule you. You need support and encouragement. If no trusting person is around, speak to yourself. Yes, talk to yourself. Look in the mirror and repeat your goals.

I admonish people when I hear them say about themselves,

"Oh, I’m too old to do this . . . "

"I’m too fat . . . "

"I’m not smart enough . . ."

When we hear ourselves say these limiting words, we metabolize those words and they become us. Someone said, "It is not what we are that holds us back, but what we think we are not." We limit ourselves. Another writer said, "So a man thinketh, so is he." Therefore, as the negative words become us – then, conversely, positive words become us. Therefore, say positive things about yourself. Repeat your goals out loud. Repeat your goals every day.

By watching less television, you will be able to accomplish more. You will be able to complete more tasks that will lead you to your goals. You will be able to think.

How? You work every day. You have children, a spouse, significant other, pets, and elderly relatives. How does one exercise every day?

Take the stairs instead of the elevator. You have a great opportunity here at this hotel. Walk to lunch instead of taking the car or bus. Stretch while at your desk. Do some calisthenics – a few sit-ups or crunches; a few push-ups; a few toe touches; use hand weights; then, try to get in some dancing, walking, running, biking, or swimming three or four days of the week. You can do it.

Eliminate sodas from your diet. Drink water. Take water with you to work. Keep a glass of water at your desk.

Why are exercising and drinking water on our list for reaching our goals? Because by exercising and drinking water, you create an energetic and cleansed mind and body. With an energetic and cleansed mind and body, you will move easier to your goals. And, feel good while moving forward.

You have within you awesome power to reach your goals – to follow your calling. Belief is earth moving. Remember the mind perceives that which is real the same as it perceives that which is imagined. All of us have experienced the act of thinking of a lemon in our mouths and our salivary glands begin to work. Or we think of a scary movie or book and our hearts begin to race. All of us have read the studies of people being able to lower their heart rate, blood pressure and even body temperature by thinking. Our minds are powerful. More effective than believing is knowing. Know that you are powerful. Know that you carry the keys of success within you.

What separates our believing something and our knowing something are our doubts. We tend to know what we have experienced or what we see. We find it difficult to know what we have not yet seen. However, to move toward our goals, we must trust what we have not yet experienced and trust what we have not yet seen. We know the wind exists; yet, we do not see it. We know gravity exists; yet we do not see it and are unable to touch it.

Venus and Serena Williams, sisters, will be playing against each other in the semi-finals at Wimbledon today. When asked about the match, Venus said, "We always believed – most of all because our parents told us – that this would happen; that's what we were working for. That's how we visualized it." That is how we visualized it. Getting to Wimbledon is no surprise for the sisters and their parents. They expected this to happen. They believed this would happen. And, they went that one important step further – They knew the girls would play Wimbledon – not one, but both.

Do you have the same capacity to think, believe, and know to reach your goals as the Williamses? Do they have greater mental powers than we do? Can we achieve the same levels of success? Yes, we can.

Visualize. See yourself achieving your goals. See yourself creating change. See yourself making a difference. Visualize in great detail. Visualize your clothing, The surroundings, location, words, activities. Use your imagination.

Just as we are unable to see the wind or gravity but still know of their existence; know that the power to reach your goals, to engage in your calling, exists in you. Visualize.

As you are working toward your goals, volunteer. Volunteer. Our country needs work – a great deal of work. You can help change our country by volunteering.

In every town, we have illiteracy.

In every town, we have teenage pregnancies.

In every town, we have people wanting to learn to speak English.

In every town, we have poor children.

In every town, we have teachers needing help in their classrooms.

In every town, we have discrimination.

In every town, we have people not registered to vote.

In every town, we have children who are molested or raped.

In every town, we have females who are assaulted and battered.

In every town, we have people doing drugs or selling drugs.

In every town, we have high school dropouts.

In every town, we have lonely, elderly people.

In every town in our country - we have a great need for volunteers.

Do not make excuses for not volunteering – work, family, time. Make time to make a difference. You have a responsibility to your family and a responsibility to society. To be truly productive members of society we need to also work outside of our homes for change.

As you draft your list of goals, list volunteer work that you can do. Call the literacy association in your area; call the schools; call nursing and retirement homes; call hospitals – all these entities need your help.

This is an election year - work on a campaign in some capacity – help with mailings; help with the telephone bank; walk door-to-door; give money (all contributions help). Engage your children, if you have any, in your volunteer efforts.

During my campaign, one of my volunteers, Chris, had her daughters help. Ryan, the youngest, is ten years old. At a meeting, Chris and other committee members were discussing the need for contributions. Later at home, Ryan asked her mom why was money needed to run a race. Chris explained to her that money was needed to spread the message - to get people to the polls and voting; for office staff and space; mailings, signs, and radio spots. Ryan then said that she could have a lemonade stand to help raise money. I was touched deeply by this little girl's sentiment. A ten-year-old girl is thinking of ways she can make a difference. I do not know if Ryan put up her lemonade stand or not, she was traveling with her parents a great deal on the weekends, but she contributed $5.00 – a large amount for this little girl. Ryan gave a great deal to make a difference. So can you.

Many of us complain about our government, about our elected officials. We can change our government. The way to change our government is to run for office; support candidates we believe will work for positive changes – support through volunteering and contributing; and making sure fellow citizens exercise their right to vote.

Surveys reveal that most people do not volunteer or contribute to non-profit organizations because no one asks. Do not wait for someone to ask you. Roll up your sleeves and get to work.

Why is volunteering important in reaching your goals? Because volunteering gives you the opportunity to help others and in doing so, you help yourself. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to come in contact with people you would never touch on your daily routine of work and home. Volunteering opens your eyes to what is going on around us and what others are enduring on a daily basis. When you volunteer, you give others hope. You give them a chance to set goals and work toward their goals also. We are Not islands – separate and unto ourselves. We are all a part of the main. When we volunteer, we can not help but benefit ourselves. Remember that we reap what we sow.

Make the decision right now to be the person who will work for change. Make a definite commitment. And, when you hear people complaining, urge them to work with you. I love Michael Jackson’s song, "Man in the mirror." He basically says that to make a change, we need to look at the person in the mirror. Who do you see when you look in the mirror?

Margaret Mead stated, "Do not think for a minute that a small group of people cannot bring about change; in fact, it is the only thing that has."

Think about it – Think about those who brought about great change:

Gandhi – one person

Abraham Lincoln – one person

Jesus Christ – One with 12 disciples

Socrates – one person

Martin Luther King, Jr. – one person

Declaration of Independence – 56 signers

All of these people had help in some capacity; yet, the initial struggle began with them. Small groups - Not thousands - Not millions. Small groups that began revolutions, that set the stage for change, that changed peoples’ lives.

Will it matter that I was?

Make that answer a resounding and an assertive "yes!!!" To ensure that, listen for your calling. If you have been ignoring it, allow yourself to engage in it. Set your goals today. Do not wait. We only have this very moment. We are not promised tomorrow and we cannot change yesterday. We have right now. Sometimes we wait until a tragedy strikes before we start doing what matters most – what we are called to do. Do not wait.

Be grateful for all that you have – your intelligence; strength; wisdom; health; family; job; friends - the earth, air, water, trees, butterflies, flowers, sky, rain, sand. Be grateful. Be happy. Yet, constantly strive to make a difference. Strive to create positive change.

How many of you believe that you can change the world? I do. I truly believe we can.

William James said that we are the only creatures who can change our circumstances by changing our thoughts. Aristotle and later Einstein said, "attitude is more important than fact."

Let me tell you this little story then I will close. A man sold hot dogs in a medium-sized town. He was proud of his hot dogs and made a great deal of money selling his hot dogs. Every day, he would go out and yell from his hot dog stand, "Come and get your hot dogs! The best hod dogs in town!" People came from all over to eat his hot dogs. He would have lines of people at his hot dog stand. He loved selling hot dogs and believed they were delicious, fresh, and the best. He talked to his patrons and was grateful for them. And they loved this man.

Anyway, the man's son came home from college and asked his daddy what he was doing during the day. The man said that he was still selling hot dogs and business was booming. The son looked at him and said, "Daddy, what's the matter with you? Don't you know we're in a recession? No one is going to buy hot dogs. I cannot believe you're wasting your time and money trying to sell hot dogs. You need to cut your losses and close that stand."

Well, the man believed his son; his son was educated, in college, and certainly knew more than he. The man became a bit despondent, but did not want to close his hot dog stand because people came to him every day. They depended on him for their hot dogs. He continued to go to his hot dog stand, but he no longer yelled about his great hot dogs; he did not talk and laugh with his patrons as much. "We're in a recession," he thought, "What is there to laugh about?" Little by little, the patrons stopped coming and the man sold fewer and fewer hot dogs. Then no one came and he had to close his hot dog stand. He said, "My son was right"

Attitude is more important than fact. The man did not know that the country was in a recession and, therefore, continued to behave in a way, which generated a profitable business. Once his attitude changed; his behavior changed and then his business changed.

Attitude is more important than fact.

Let me leave you with this quotation by W. H. Murray:

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.

I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets: "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."

Begin today. Pledge to yourself that you will make a difference. That you will work to create positive changes in your community, in your state, in our country, in our world.

Begin today. "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."

BE BOLD.