America's Next Top Automotive Journalist

Yes we can! Your political affiliations notwithstanding, you gotta love the Obama story. Just a few years ago, the man who would eventually become President was struggling to pay his bills – hell, he didn’t pay off his student loans until he was well into his 40s. What an uplifting story.

Last night I saw the HBO Original Documentary By the People: The Election of Barack Obama. In an age where the American dream is more elusive than ever, the Obama presidency reminds us that although the American dream is wounded, it’s still alive and kicking.

One part that stuck out to me was Campaign Manager, David Plouffe’s pep talk to volunteers. He reminded them how far the campaign had come because of their commitment and devotion. He praised them for taking a candidate cloaked in the shadows of obscurity and turning him into a fierce competitor in the final stages of the Presidential race.

David Plouffe’s words remind us that we all start at nothing, but we eventually become something. Whatever we want to become, we can get there if our minds let us. First we have to let our minds let us. The beginning of a long journey toward success may seem daunting, but consider the journey already started, for Chinese philosopher Lao-tzu once said, “Even the longest journey must begin where you stand.”

So whatever it is you’re planning – however you plan on taking over the world, your journey has already begun … and you needn’t worry about how quickly you get there. Just remember this Confucius quote: “It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.”