If you are like me, you know that you were born for something great but don’t always understand how to access it.

You are not alone.

In fact, I believe that all people are born to do something great–born for a purpose much greater than ourselves. We have the power to change the world, to reshape the way we see ourselves and each other. Now here is the challenge: This dream can die a slow death inside of us, or we can learn from those who have gone before us who accepted the call and suffering that comes with pursuing one’s dreams.

It is in the suffering and sacrifice that you truly discover who you are. When you discover what has been put inside of you is stronger than the circumstances, you run at the challenges with boldness and confidence, knowing that something greater is waiting on the other side. At times you will feel as if it is impossible, but you cannot quit. Look at the Civil Rights leaders who have gone before us–people like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Mandela. In no way was their path easy, but they knew they had to keep moving forward.

I had the opportunity to march over the Edmund Pettus bridge with Amelia Boynton on the night of the first Obama election. She said that they didn’t sacrifice everything just for themselves, but they did it for those coming behind them. She held onto the vision. We must choose to hold the vision. It is our duty in life.