A WINNER IS NOT THE INFALLIBLE, BUT THE UNBREAKABLE.
For this issue of my column, I would like to focus on a few individuals in history, instead of just one, as I usually do. I wish for these short notes to offer inspiration of determination and inner strength. Individuals showcased in this article are examples of fortitude under strain, they show us that one should not quit, even when one can not readily see the long awaited reward of our efforts … success is a mix of consistency and endurance through the rough times which we are all bound to experience. These individuals didn’t give up to nay sayers, or negative expectations, if they had, they would have never experienced just how far they were actually meant to go.
In 1954, Jimmy Denny, manager of the Grand Ole Opry fired a singer after one performance. He said to him, “You ain’t going nowhere son, you ought to go back to drivin’ a truck” this singer went on to become the most popular singer in America, his name? Elvis Presley.
In 1944, Emmeline Snively, director of the Blue Book modeling agency, told a young girl hoping to become a model, “Norma Jean, you’d better learn secretarial work or find someone to marry.” Norma Jean Baker kept going and eventually became Marilyn Monroe.
Having worked unsuccessfully as a bookstore clerk, preacher and art salesman, Vincent decided to finally be happy and give others happiness through painting. He began painting and even created his very own painting technique, which was not understood by the vast majority of art critics. His career as a painter was brief [three years] and full of rejection, having sold only one of his paintings before he passed away in 1890 at the age of 37. His painting technique and innovation has been recognized as one of the best worldwide, and his paintings are some of the most sought after paintings in the world, anyone would love to have a Vincent van Gogh painting hanging in their home.
Thomas was resolute that a new way of creating light in a room other than candles was possible, tried and tried, over 2000 way to be fair, making others think he had lost his mind. When a young reporter asked him how it felt to fail so many times, Thomas said, “I never failed once, it just happened to be a 2000-step process” Thomas Edison got his dream, when he finally invented the light bulb, which existed in his mind all along.
In 1962, four young musicians played their first record audition for the executives of the Decca Recording Company. The executives were not impressed, and they turned down this hopeful group of musicians. As the young hopefuls were exiting, one of the executives said, “We don’t like their sound, groups of guitars are on the way out anyway” Thankfully for all of us, this group of young musicians did not give up and went on to become The Beatles.
It is only after we have stared at fear and rejection in the face but kept going, that we can we call ourselves successful.