Although I consider myself to be well read and well researched, sometimes I feel like I live in a vacuum.  Have you heard of Chris Gardner?  I hadn't until last Wednesday when I saw him and learned about his story on Oprah.  It's been a long time since I've been impressed with somebody like I am with him.

Now 52 years old, he grew up in poverty in Milwaukee.  Subjected to abuse along with the poverty, he spent the first few years of his life in foster care.  This man literally went from rags to riches and is now a multimillionaire.  All because his mother had told him when he was a child, "If you want to be a millionaire, you can be."  As a young adult he was a single dad raising his son and both were homeless.  But he figured out what he needed to do to change that and over time, he accomplished it.  Because he believed he could.  Because he wanted a good life for himself and his son.  Because he had the strength and motivation to do what needed to be done and change his life.  Education was his way out.....as it is for anybody in that situation.  It opened doors and eventually brought him to becoming a top stock broker, followed by opening his own brokerage firm.

I love a success story like this.  I love to see people pull themselves up, take the necessary steps, take the risk and accomplish their dream of a better life.  People like Chris Gardner are proof that it can be done if we really want it.  But again.....education was the means to the end.  I've never talked about it here, but education turned my entire life around when I was twenty-five years old.  It opened untold doors for me and brought me to where I am right this second.  I can't vocalize enough on how important education is.....it gives one freedom, escape and options. 

Gardner's autobiography was released in May of this year but I'd never heard of it till last week.  And yes, I've already ordered it and look forward to reading it.  You might know the movie, The Pursuit of Happyness, will be released on December 15.  It stars Will Smith and his 8 year old son, Jaden.  From the clips I saw on Oprah, I can't wait to see the movie.  A remarkable story with remarkable acting. 

Another story that proves to me once again.......If you can dream it, you can BE it.

See you tomorrow........