Kirk Nugent

Years ago I read an article (I believe it was in USA Today) stating that 75% of Harvard graduates have identify low self esteem as a major impediment to achieving their goals.

But when you think about it, there is nothing unique about these Harvard grads. We all (to a certain degree) walk around with some sort of doubts regarding our abilities.

We all have something that we’re not quite comfortable with that we try to mask from the world. Fearing that one day we’ll be uncovered for the phony which we believe ourselves to be. Have you ever known someone that you see greatness in, but for the love of God they just can’t see what you see? I’ve said it before, “It is so difficult to see the picture when you’re in the frame.” How many times people have spoken to you regarding your limitations, but they can never see the goodness in you? If you made a mistake, they’re the first to point it out, but if you excel in any area they’re the first to ignore it.

I’ve always had a subconscious understanding of the power of words. When I was four years old, I had a sickle cell crisis and one of my legs was swollen. My mom would refer to it as my ‘bad’ leg and I would immediately correct her. “I don’t have a bad leg, they’re both good.” She would reply, “Oh Kirk, stop being difficult, you know what I meant.”

On a subconscious level I did. She was (unknowingly) planting the seed in my head that one of my legs was ‘bad’. (This was before Hip Hop when ‘bad’ actually meant bad.)

I’ve always ‘planted’ the idea in my son that his mind was the most powerful thing he could ever hope to possess. I would constantly wake him in the middle of the night and question him, “J. Nuge, what is the most powerful thing on the planet?” Somewhat aggravated, he would reply,

“My mind daddy!”

“Who loves you?”

“You daddy.”

“Who else?”

“My mommy.”

“Huh uh, keep going.”

By now, he’s really aggravated, because he wants to get back to sleep.

“My grandma, God, I don’t know…everybody.”

“Damn skippy! Everybody loves you baby. You’re like Raymond without the corny jokes. Go back to bed baby, you’re brilliant!.”

Now fast forward ten years into the future. I’m in my office writing a new poem ( or whatever it is that I do in the office) and I hear the garage door opens. I hear my son putting his bike away (he rides to school)

I yell out, “Is that JuVon the Great?”

His response, “None other.”

The seed has taken root.

Everyday, we’re given scores of opportunity to plant powerful seeds and build the people around us up. A friend of mine (Mari) did some marketing for me, in fact she did a magnificent job, so she’s no longer Mari, she’s now, ‘Mari the Magnificent.’ (Check her myspace page, that’s what she goes by) Another seed successfully planted. Sue has become, ‘Sue the Great’, and Brandylyn is now ‘B the Beautiful’ and my friend Kurt, so rightfully dubbed himself, ‘Kurt the Caucasian Sensation’

The cost of giving is always receiving. What this means is that if you constantly look for ways in which to lift people up, empower them, validate and re-enforce a positive self image in them, what will happen is that you will find yourself being lifted up even higher.

Lift your children up today. Don’t wait for the report card from school; plant the seeds of greatness today. Tell them that they’re brilliant and that they’re loved. Then re-enforce those words with your actions. Kids need compliments like plants need sunlight. They thrive in the presence of it. Let the people around you know how much you appreciate them, don’t wait for the funeral. Ask yourself, ‘Do I honor the living as passionately as I mourn the dead?”

You’ll find yourself becoming more magnetic (attractive) because you’re in the habit of lifting people up. Your aura (the energy surrounding your body) will begin to pull in more positive people, and negative people (whenever they’re in your presence) will become more positive. One of the Laws of the land is that you MUST reap what you sow. So start your day by sowing powerful seeds, start with yourself. Find a powerful adjective and attach it to your name. Forget being plain ole’ Steve and Sue, today you’re ‘Steve the Stupendous’ and ‘Sue the Spectacular.’

Go forth and be the powerful planter of greatness that you were created to be.

Make it so Number One.

This has been Captain Kirk. Over and out!

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