As redundant as it may sound, I must admit a statement has never appeared truer than “what a time to be alive”. In the midst of many discouraging social issues there is still a plethora of hope floating around for those willing to tap into their sources. Our nation is in the midst of a huge shift and the world around us is demanding a response. Yet, feeling battered and confused many of us find ourselves struggling time after time to take heart in the examples of hope that are set before us, and in return create our own for the following generations.

Honestly, 2017 is the year of decisions. Either you will be excellent or subpar. The choice is solely yours to make.Reality check: odds are inevitable. They’re set before us daily, yet our responses can always be controlled. Your responses are key for they will either progress or digress your process. A good response to an odd should cause a sort of tension, (a sense of friction to be exact). For we all know that a flare of positivity to a negative situation doesn’t always spread like wild fire instantaneously.

Many times, there’s some type of rejection. A fight is always to be expected and a fight should always be given. Just as success and excellence doesn’t come without a price, the same should be expected of hope. You must work yourself up to believe that what you’re striving for is a possibility.

If it is true that seeing is believing, do you ever question what it is your viewing?

Inspiration is not a fleeting sense of euphoria or nostalgia. In fact, inspiration isn’t fleeting at all. It has the capability to remain vibrant in our lives, the question is always our level of capacity. Lasting inspiration often morphs into hope, and the glorious attribute of hope is its ability to completely invade your life. Hope has this fine way of convincing you that what you once perceived as being impossible is by far tangible. It’s always a matter of “when” and never “if” so again, what is it that you’re choosing to view?

There’s excellence all around us, what are you choosing to set your sights on?

We’re defying the odds daily, walking in the impossible. In reference to Hidden Figures (a film I highly recommend for all individuals. Regardless of race, age, and/or any other likeness or differences) a moment that triggered an immediate response within my spirit was depicted. A Jewish man was reminding an African- American woman of the rarity of them both working for NASA. Assisting in the progression of sending the first man to orbit the earth. In this scene he reminded her “we’re living in the impossible”, and instantly my spirit sparked. “We’re living in the impossible” the impossible is NOW.

This past Tuesday we watched our 44^th president give his farewell speech. A speech that indeed anchored its way into the hearts of Americans both alike and different. For his message was centered around hope, in which he mentioned “that for every two step forwards it often feels we take one step back” which often the on-going struggle of hope. However, contention is often a gate-way to a resolution. Rejection is often the start to a genuine and generous amount of acceptance and doubt is always the breeding ground for hope.

Remember standards of excellence are set before us. For we are still “living in the impossible” and onward shall we continue. How you choose to live is a direct result of what you choose to see, so ask yourself what’s in your vision.

For there’s excellence all around us, what are you choosing to set your sights on