I have been reading a book entitled -“The Theory of 21.11 No, it has nothing to do with gambling and blackjack. Nor does it deal with turning 21 and explaining the advantages and disadvantages of such an historical occasion in life.
The premise of the book is that, for every person who will say YES, there are twenty who will say NO. For a positive response, you must find the twenty-first person. The twenties are those who dislike change, fear risk, love ruts, rules and red tape. The 21 is that “rare” individual who is open and innovative. According to the author, there will always be 20 persons who will find some reason why “it can’t be done.” They will set up obstacles in one of three areas:
CAN’T BE – SHOULDN’T BE – WON’T BE DONE
The “Can’t Be’s” include some very familiar phrases, “We’ve never done it that way before,” “It costs too much,” “There’s just no way.”
The “Shouldn’t Be’s” include: “It would set a precedent,” “Is anyone else doing it?” “This may not work.”
The “Won’t Be’s” are: So and so won’t approve it,” “Over my dead body!”
The sign over the door never changes where 20’s reign. “NO OPTIMISTS – ORIGINAL THINKERS -OVER-ACHIEVERS ALLOWED! VIOLATORS SUBJECT TO RIDICULE AND NEGATIVE REMARKS.
Which one are you? Which one would you like to be? This book would be incredibly funny if it weren’t so true. Unfortunately, anyone who has ever had a dream knows that the 20’s can quickly deflate a vision or a dream quicker than you can say Hip Hip Hooray!
I read another statement that said, “Let us kill the dreamer and see what becomes of his dream.” There are those 20’s who are still killing dreamers in the name of status quo, tradition, or just plain old meanness. Those who complain the most usually do the least.
Do you remember any of the names of the critics of Benjamin Franklin, Mother Teresa, Alexander Graham Bell, the Wright Brothers, Betsy Ross, Abraham Lincoln, or Eli Whitney? Certainly not! These men and women were 21’s all the way.
Did you know that the greatest contribution you can make in the lives of your children, mom and dad, is to be positive, supportive and encouraging as your children grow up. You will help determine whether they will be a 20 or 21. Or course, anyone can be a 20.
One piece of advice that has stuck with me over the years is: “Never let a loser tell you how to win!” In other words, end zone coaches and armchair quarterbacks never have won, nor will they ever win a game.
No, the ones who win the games are the ones who are willing to leave the bench of criticism, the stands of indifference, the sidelines of negativism and put on the uniform of commitment, cooperation, consecration and compassion.
Old friend Robert said, “Vision is the world’s most desperate need. There are no hopeless situations, only people who think hopelessly. IS THAT A 20 OR A 21 IN YOUR MIRROR?”
