It's Training Day

It's Training Day

Someone who I hold high respect for is actor, Denzel Washington. I think what draws me to his work is his demeanor off set. I’ve listened and watched countless interviews and every time he speaks he is nothing but compassionate about reaching your dreams and aspiring to find your purpose while maintaining faith. Recently I watched a commencement speech that he delivered to Dillard University in Louisiana last May (2015). The words of wisdom that he shared were incredible and very moving. I want to share with you the three keys that he feels are the most important not only to be successful but to live your life to the fullest. I hope it gives you a deeper insight into life as it gave me. These are his words that I have paraphrased for you to better understand.

 
First and foremost, put god first in everything you do. He stresses that all achievements he has made is simply by the grace of god. By keeping god first you stay humble and remember that your life is bigger than the rough patches you may be going through. By knowing that you are not alone you will be able to take risks. “Every night before you go to bed” he says “put your slippers under your bed, then in the morning you will have to get on your knees to get them. While your down there say thanks in advance for what is already yours”. Keeping God first is key.

Next….Fail BIG. You must do what you feel passionate about. “True desire in the heart for anything good is god’s proof to you sent before hand to indicate that it’s already yours”. Anything you desire is obtainable so claim it. But a lot of times this desire is silenced by our fear of failing. An I.Q test had 9 dots on a piece of paper (see above). In order to pass the test you had to connect all 9 dots but you could only draw 5 lines and you couldn't take your pencil off the paper. The test takers tried over and over again to figure it out but just couldn’t solve it. Finally one person figured it out, but it was only when they went outside of the box that it was possible (see below). Don’t be afraid to think outside of your comfort zone (box) and fail in order to get what you passionate about. Dreams without goals are just dreams and they fuel disappointment. So set goals in all areas of your life in order to get outside of your comfort zone and achieve excellence.

Last but not least, “You will never see a U-Haul behind a hearse.” You must remember that nothing you do in this life you will be able to take with you. Your goal for life should not be to get as much as you can because that doesn’t count. What counts is what you do with what you have. “The most selfish thing you can do is help someone else”. Why? Because the feeling that you get when helping someone else is the best feeling you can experience. When you get something, reach back, and bring the person behind you along.

 We have all seen the success and humble attitude that Denzel Washington has achieved. If these principles have helped him become so successful, then I would say it’s in our best interest to adapt to these standards and also become as great of a success. Remember we can, we must, and we will succeed.

 

Click to listen to the speech -> Denzel Speech

Dominique Adam, MPA

Promoting Diversity & Cultivating Community Growth

8y

Simple, profound marching orders! Life here we come!

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Marci Muckleroy (Stead)

Director, Center for Student Success at University of Mount Union

8y

Very inspiring. Thank you for sharing!

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