Each month we will be featuring a guest writer and this month's contribution is from Gary Dobson, one of our team of writers, who has been on sabbatical while getting his college degree. Gary, it is great to have you back if only for one story.

But it is certain that the title hasn't been exclusively my own. I believe that hordes of people hear themselves saying, "I'm not capable of doing that," and spend countless years paying homage to those who orate, "You'll never be able to do that." These are examples of limitation umbrellas that we not only hold open over our own heads, but allow others to utilize in blocking out the sunshine that is surely our potential for realizing our dreams. Well, it is time to close these umbrellas and be all that we can be.

Now, I don't want anyone to think that I've failed to receive a great deal of support in my life. The truth is that my family members and numerous friends have always believed in me and trumpeted my potential to do whatever I might wish to try my hand at. But throughout the majority of my time on this earth, I was obsessively self-deprecating and chose to tell myself that my supporters were just being nice to me and that I didn't deserve praise. Since I thought so little of myself, I found the voices of those who seemed to delight in putting me down to be much louder and vastly more credible than those of my supporters. That is the way it is for many people who possess deeply wounded and fragile levels of self-esteem.

But there comes a time when we must summon up our courage and pride and proclaim from the highest mountaintop of our souls, "I don't believe what you are saying. I know that I have great potential and can do anything that I wish to. I am a good person and will no longer be put down by you. Furthermore, I don't want to spend my entire life trying to be as mediocre as possible. I want to grab hold of the second star on the right and ride it straight through 'til morning and know that the dawn will last forever. That is the way it will be from now on, so get out of my way and lick your wounds as best as you can."

The time to stand up and embrace my potential commenced about fourteen months ago. The catalyst for my emergence into the womb of promise that I'd scarcely believed was remotely possible was, at the age of 45, my decision to become a full-time student. Last year, I departed the world of professional sales and crawled into a classroom at a local college. It had been 28 years since my last foray into the education environment and my past track record was, to say the least, truly dismal.

As I sat at a far too small desk in the middle of what seemed to be a dark, highly populated (by a gaggle of very young people), and cavernous classroom, great fears of failure enveloped my heart and spirit. I thought, "How will I ever be able to get through this mission? I'm not smart and dedicated enough to earn average grades let alone reach loftier levels. My teachers and many sales managers have always told me that I don't apply myself to my work. I'm not going to do well at this. I don't have the talent."

That was fifteen months and 16 courses ago. Earlier this week, I received my final report card for the time that I spent at the college. I earned 16 perfect grades, completed an honors scholar program, and am in receipt of letters of acceptance from three universities. I have also received offers of scholarships from each of the schools. Therefore, I'm not mediocre and my detractors were wrong, very wrong. I can do whatever I want to do and will achieve whatever is possible, but even then, will keep a firm grasp on that second star on the right and soar ever higher.

Fifteen months ago, I began to close the limitation umbrella and allow the sunlight of promise to provide extraordinary warmth to my heart and spirit. All it took was belief in myself and obeisance to the words of support from those who love me, rather than accept the stinging arrows of disdain and defeat from those who chose to shackle my self-esteem. But I must never forget that I was the worst of the offenders for I surely allowed their torturous words to imprison me. That was my fault, not theirs. God willing, I will never again commit such acts of mental suicide.

That is my story, but it pales in comparison to those of two of my fellow students. One of them is named Frank. He is a gentle, dynamic, humorous, and caring soul. He is also an honors student and scores extremely well on exams and essays. Other students look up to him and praise his efforts. They look into his eyes and tell him how much they respect him. Frank turns towards them and says, "Thank you." However, he can't look into their eyes because he is blind and has been so for many years. Frank's eyes are sightless, but his mind is so sharp, so inquisitive, so dedicated to being more than anyone might think possible. There is no limitation umbrella over Frank's head. He basks in the sunlight that covers him in glorious promise and dignity. I respect you, Frank, and you will always be a great source of inspiration for me.

The other person whom I wish to tell you about is Alejandro. He is a charming man and one of the top students at the college. He works extremely hard and has an imagination that is the envy of so many. Only the warm and sincere bounties issued from his heart outweigh the enormity of his academic achievements.

Less than fourteen months ago, Alejandro was only eligible to take ESL (English as a Second Language) classes. He couldn't afford a tutor, thus had to rely on the teachings learned in the classroom and myriad of hours of study. He succeeded to a degree that is almost mythical in scope. Alejandro not only learned English, but also became a member of the college's honors program. Alejandro didn't have a limitation umbrella over his head, but you can only imagine how diligently others tried to erect one over his very life. The sun shines brightly on this good man and I know that it will never diminish in its intensity.

Alejandro and Frank are but two of the remarkable students that I have been fortunate to know. There are many who do not earn perfect grades, but my God, they are so dedicated in their determination to refuse submission to umbrellas of limitations. I salute them all.

Now, look around you. What do you see? Do you see people who allow others to raise umbrellas over their heads? They are the ones who are crying so deeply within their hearts, spirits, and souls. They weep for what has become of them. They weep for what might have been. They weep for the failed promise of drive and dignity. Are they alone? No, they are not. Are you one of them? Do you weep?

But please don't cry for you can surely be all that you dream of. You can make it, I know you can. Stand up, stand tall, and look towards the skies. Do you see the second star on the right? Yes, that's the one and it awaits you. Perhaps, like Frank, your eyes are sightless and someone is reading this to you, but you must dream and when you do, you will see the star. Its brilliance will not be denied. It shines for you. It will always shine for you and all people.

Whatever your dreams may be, you must close the limitation umbrella and never allow anyone, including you, to reopen it. Only then will you be able to look up, see the second star, ride with it 'til morning, and through all the days of your life. Look up right now, and never look down again.

I would love to hear from you. My readers are very important to me and I answer each and every email. My contact is Gary.

You can find more articles in the archive under Guest Writer's Corner