Equipment
by George Washington Carver
Figure it out for yourself, my lad. You’ve all that the greatest of men have had, two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes and a bring to use if you would be wise. With this equipment they all began, so start for the top and say, “I can.”
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Look them over, the wise and great, they take their food from a common plate, and similar knives and forks they use, with similar laces they tie their shoes. The world considers them brave and smart, but you’ve all they had when they made their start.
You can triumph and come to skill, you can be great if you only will. You’re well equipped for what fight you choose, you have legs and arms, and a brain to use, and the man who has risen great deeds to do began his life with no more than you.
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You are the handicap you must face, you are the one who must choose your place, you must say where you want to go, how much you will study the truth to know. God has equipped you for life but lets you decide what you want to be.
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Courage must come from the soul within, the man must furnish the will to win. So, figure it out for yourself, my lad.
Life
Life is honestly what you make of it! Do not let other peoples' thoughts and ideas about YOUR life hold you back from achieving YOUR goals and dreams. Forgive others and let go of fears and anxieties to make progress. You are in control of your destiny, and with God’s help, you can change whatever negatives there are in your life in spite of your circumstances. If you live in a shack, keep your shack clean and dream of a nicer place to live. If you only have one outfit, wash it daily and keep it clean and dream of having nicer outfits. If you cannot read, let someone know that you want to learn how to read and dream about reading. If you have no job and no experience, volunteer, and dream about the job you ultimately want to have. If you are an addict and you want to quit, tell someone that you are ready to quit and dream about having this heavy burden finally off your back. If you are being abused mentally, physically, or sexually, tell someone. Get help! Let’s turn your adverse circumstances around for your own good!
Faith
Easy--believe that Yahushua died for our sins and for us to have eternal life. Tell Yahuah you believe, know that he has everything that you want and that he can make the impossible possible. Know that he freely gives, at no charge, and he does not discriminate. Love yourself first, love Yahuah and then your fellow man. Do better, don’t do what they do. If you experience bad behaviors, don’t display bad behaviors in return, because you know what that feels like. Those feelings are so exasperating. Try showing some love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22).
Vision
You have potential! Yes, you have potential! Start dreaming now, write it down, and simply start small to make your dreams come true. I am a witness of dreams coming true! You were born with the same equipment I was and all the other people that are considered to be a success. George Washington Carver refers to this poem entitled "Equipment." As you recover from bad situations and adverse circumstances, remember to love yourself and the Golden Rule which is to “treat others as you want to be treated.” Use all of the equipment you have been blessed with to activate your talents to fulfill your daily purposes. Take small steps before you begin to leap and eventually you will begin to run towards success as you jump all the hurdles with joy and confidence. Your journey of discovery is a lifetime!
Racism
Racism is full of myths, biases, confusion, frustration, anxiety, hate, oppression, wrongdoings, bad attitudes, jealousy, hindrances, theft, disownment, unanswered questions, slander, popular, offensive, and unnecessary. In this society, it doesn’t matter what side of the track you are from in any region. Racism runs deep, and it is a learned and taught behavior, not an inborn belief. I’d like to see elected officials service their constituents and not themselves, their families, or friends in the decision-making policies, and simply tell the truth and stop lying to win votes.
Education
Education beyond high school is needed and not to be taken lightly. Yahuah can elevate you faster and easier with the essential credentials. Stop saying, "I want to be ........ Or I have always wanted to be...... Or others have always told me that I would make a great......" The cliché we have always heard and shouted in unison is that knowledge is power! Well, guess what? Education is both knowledge and power. When you were born, you could not hold your head up without support, but as you grew and tried to support yourself, your neck muscles eventually became strong and you began to hold your head up without anyone else's support. Set your goal and timeline; then visit your local college online to get started. It is just that easy! REBUKE the devil, devour the devourer, and send all his fears, anxieties, and negative thoughts of someone else back to him -- thoughts like “you will never amount to nothing,” “you are not worth two cents,” “You just like your Mommy or Daddy, no good.” Remember, Yahuah did not give you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). So, get to work, and go get your degree!
