By Jon Bartos

Hello my friend.  It seems way too long since we have last spoke.  I thought it was time we did.  I have watched you grow.  I have seen you at your very best and in your moments of distress, those times when life has not handed you any favors.  Like the time during recess you got your tongue stuck on that cold swing set in the middle of winter.  Talk about a thermal conductivity experiment gone wrong! I have been with you through the ups, the downs, the joys, the frustrations, the hopes and dreams, the reality and I have been blessed to share in your most magnificent moments.  The good news is the wins have been far greater than the losses.  I am humbled and proud of what you have accomplished thus far.  I wanted to let you know, that I have been here for you and will continue to be here for you to help you accomplish whatever you set your mind to. 

We both know however, the journey thus far and everything you have learned along the way, has just been a training ground for what we are about to accomplish.  Our time is limited and together we have so very much to do.  Your experience, knowledge and your abilities have all come together to now put us in a greater position to affect the lives of others.  Time on this life clock of ours is ticking – it is time to make a difference and map out our path from success to significance.     

“Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do”.                                 Pope John XXIII

You know and believe that we have an infinite potential to achieve.  Our past has taught us what it takes to be successful and by truly focusing on what we are passionate about gives us the ability to accomplish anything we set our mind to.  Remember, we have made sacrifices and pushed past the limits more than most.  We have been “willing” to do what most humans cannot or will not do.  We are not here by chance, but rather by purpose.  For a purpose. We are here to achieve great things and we need to aim high to make the greatest impact on the world before our time in this life comes to an end.  This is not our burden to bear, but a gift we have been blessed with.  Time is of the essence and we need to take our gift of unlimited potential seriously.  There is so much yet to accomplish.

“Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.”                      Wilma Rudolph

Some key things to keep in mind as we continue our journey:

• The ability to make a difference requires selecting a goal or objective that we are absolutely passionate about.  What can bring about change in our community that will have an impact and the ability to grow into something more?  What will we be so passionate about that we will commit to doing whatever it takes to reach that goal?  With focus comes fortitude. With fortitude comes real change.
•   Keep in mind that anything worthwhile will take sacrifice, hard work and determination to see it through.  Change is not easy and requires a strong sense of commitment and perserverance.  Building relationships, business and personal achievement do not happen overnight.  It takes time and hard work. Don’t get too frustrated, we will march forward.
• Expect Adversity.  The journey to greatness will be fraught with challenges.  Expect it.  There will always be things that get in the way and slow your progress.  Take it in stride – rely on your passion for what you believe in to give you the ability to overcome whatever crosses your path along the way.  When we lose the small battles, let’s not lose the lesson that was taught.

I am looking forward to the next and most important part of our journey together.  We can stop sweating the small stuff and start focusing on the big stuff.  We can do this together.  Now is the time we become who we were meant to be.  And by the way, no more experiments with our tongue on cold metal. Ok?    

Sincerely,

Your Subconscious