As I watched a few videos online listening to people edify Muhammad Ali over the last week and Prince over the last month or so, I thought about how funny it is that all of the things that made them great, most people shunned them for at the time it happened.
Yes, that’s right.
Muhammad Ali was labeled a troublemaker, a draft dodger and all kinds of other names. Now, we celebrate him as a hero.
As we should.
Prince wore high heels (and at the same time was surrounded by beautiful women) something you wouldn’t catch many men (let alone a black man). He also tattooed a symbol on his face when the label claimed they own his name. So he showed them you can own the name but not me.
You see, both of these men had the courage to stand for what they believed. They also focused and dedicated themselves to their craft and used that platform to change us, one person at a time. Muhammad Ali told us we shouldn’t be going to war bombing people that are just like us. ” Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn’t matter which color does the hating. It’s just plain wrong”
Prince told us to express ourselves, our way, no matter what.
Today, I talked about this on my show FULL. Do you have the guts to stand for what you believe?
Really? Are you ready to stand up and be who you truly are in the land of Twitter where most people get off on criticizing you?
Its necessary if you want to be great.
Take it from the greatest of all time.
He told you he was the greatest even before he showed it. Check out this meme from the USA Today
Many times when I help my clients go for what they really want, this is the part they don’t get. You must claim it. Focus on it. Hold on to it. Be able to talk smack if necessary. Most importantly, just STAND in it.
That was the lesson of the life of Muhammad Ali. Prince as well.
Can you stand in who you are and what you want to be?
