Dream Big

Yesterday, at a catering party, the host took me to the full length windows and showed me a magnificent view of Chelsea Piers and the Hudson and challenged me to dream big. He has bought Pier 57 and is going to turn it into a fun hangout spot, with trendy shops and bars, free films shown on a big screen and a huge Ferris wheel – circa The Eye in London.

He said the sky is the limit. Literally. All one needed in life to succeed was a good teacher, good friends and the discernment to pick them. Good teachers, he said, are all around you. They are the guy you meet on the subway, the homeless guy who calls out to you, even the breeze that hits your face just so as soon as you step out of your house in the morning. Good friends, he said, are the ones who want nothing from you, but want the best for you. They never say never, or no. They cheer you on no matter what and are there for you no matter what.

He said the rule to success is to visualize where you want to go. Have a clear conception of your end product – where you want to go, what you want to do. Have a rough idea of how you want to get there, but be flexible enough to roll with any punches life throws at you along the journey.

He said the real secret to being happy was to look outside yourself. To understand that you have to find happiness within you. The happiest peoples are those that are students – always willing and ready to learn from anyone. They are also servants – seeing themselves as vessels, not as an end.

Although this guy wasn't Christian, or even religious, everything he said really resonated with me. He is right. The bible teaches us that we are God's servants here on earth. His arms extended. We are supposed to work for him and his kingdom. We are also supposed to be like little children – teachable. We are not too humble to learn and be taught by anyone.

That's my prayer. To be humble enough for greatness.