by Michael Reeves
Derek Rabelo wanted to grow up and become a surfer. He was even named after his father’s favorite surfer. There was only one problem: Derek was born blind. The absence of sight wasn’t enough to dissuade Derek, though. He has learned to surf, and traveled from Brazil to Hawaii to surf the Pipeline near Oahu. He taught himself to listen to the waves around him to navigate the crests and crashing waters. Derek worked and overcame what seemed impossible to realize his dream.
In an era with advancements in every field, laziness and complacency are still persistent problems. We have more information at our fingertips than ever before, but determination and will deteriorate as we get accustomed to technology doing increasingly more of our work for us. We are becoming a culture that shies away from difficult endeavors. But why not avoid a challenge? In our society we celebrate participation over accomplishment; Also Ran is as good as Winner.
- New Mexico’s 30% high school dropout rate ranks 3rd in the nation.
- 20% of New Mexicans were on welfare in 2013.
- New Mexico ranks 3rd in the nation for teenage abortions.
- New Mexico finished dead last in the most recent Child Welfare ranking of the 50 states
Do we read these awful numbers, and decide that nothing can be done? Do we perpetuate the problem of walking away from doing difficult things, by ignoring the challenge of making our state and country better? We cannot expect younger generations to learn how to improve, unless they see us answering for our actions and working to make ourselves better. Doing things the right way is always harder.
Challenge yourself and the people in your life to be the best. Work hard and champion the obstacles that stand between you and the success you want. Help those around you succeed, by teaching them through your endeavors and supporting them in theirs. What exciting and unrealistic goals can we accomplish when we do not allow our limitations to dictate our achievements?
