Every now and again I am reminded that I need to ask more of myself. This reminder serves me well because it causes me to check in with myself and evaluate what I am not doing because I perceive the odds to not be in my favor. At these times it never fails that I am amazed by the length of the list of things I am choosing not to do.

But, this time is different. You see, this time the reminder to check in with myself comes from a fifth grade student in Maine, whom I have never met in person but will never forget. This young man, Nicholas Maxim, could have chosen not to do what he did. But because he chose to do, rather than to not do, he is making a difference not only in his own life, but in mine too.

My guess is that Nicholas will be making a difference in your life too…right after you see his story. You see, Nicholas has no hands, but even so he managed to win a penmanship contest. That’s right, you read that right… Nicholas was born with no lower arms but that doesn’t seem to stop him from doing something that he could have very easily given himself permission not to do. I think the average person will quickly see that the odds are not in his favor on this one, but that didn’t stop Nicholas. This young man is amazing and it appears he has some pretty amazing people around him, who we meet briefly in the video. His teacher, Ms. Conway, and his mom, clearly encourage and support him. We all need people like that in our lives, and we can all be those kinds of people in the lives of others.

I hope you will take a little over two minutes to watch the video below, and then take a moment to check in with yourself to see what you are not doing because you see the odds as stacked against you. If you are like me, you will discover a thing or two…or maybe more.

Because of Nicholas, I am making different choices today! Thanks, Nicholas.

WHAT ARE YOU NOT DOING?

We are creating our lives…one decision at a time.

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