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 brain to use if you would be wise.
With this equipment they all began,
So start for the top and say, ‘I can.’

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.

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 He
Lets you decide what you want to be.

Courage must come from the soul within,
The man must furnish the will to win.
So figure it out for yourself, my lad.
You were born with all that the great have had,
With your equipment they all began,
Get hold of yourself and say: ‘I can.’

Though I first read this poem many years ago, I learned only recently that it was a favorite of George Washington Carver — a man of consequence and accomplishment if there ever was one.

Note that the biggest obstacle any of us faces is himself and the self-limiting beliefs he adopts. You may have to work at it harder than one more naturally gifted, but even the most gifted among us have put in the work. Desire gets you up and focus gets you working. Faith keeps you moving when it seems pointless to continue.

I don’t know about you, but I am putting aside all of those doubts — all the “I can’t” and “I won’t” — and aiming even higher. This year is nearly over, but it is not over yet. And, God willing, another one is coming. Like the Little Engine That Could, I keep repeating, “I think I can! I think I can!”

I may be working toward something for which God would have me wait. If I’m early and I have to wait, that’s fine. I know I do not want to be the cause of the delay.

So how about you? What self-imposed limitations have you accepted? Renounce them in the comments section below. Let’s have a bonfire!