Last week, while riding in a friend’s car to an appointment, we were chatting about her family situation, and I told her that some people are content to live as they are, never exploring or expanding. “It’s like the bugs in the jar.”

“What, I’ve never heard that story before,” she said.

I replied, “Once upon a time, scientists put bugs in a jar, poked holes in the lid, and sealed the jar. They wanted to see what the bugs would do. At first, they tried to get out of the jar and banged themselves against the lid. As time passed, they gave up trying and just spent their time buzzing around and around the jar. After two weeks, the scientists took off the lid of the jar. The bugs stayed inside the jar, buzzing around, not realizing or caring they had their freedom.”

Some people act like those little bugs not realizing they are free, unlimited beings of light. This is our birthright. Yet, some let their negative beliefs, fears, hate, or excuses stop them from living the life they want. It’s easier to believe the “jar lid” is still on.

News flash, the jar lid is off and has been off your entire life!

We all have fears, challenges, beliefs, Blindisms that hold us from achieving what we want. We need to stop, look, be aware, and then choose what we want.

Do we want to be the bug or not?
Do we choose freedom, or not?
Do we want to keep on keeping on repeating the same patterns over again, or not?
Do we want to remain blind to the infinite possibilities out in the world, or do we want to open our eyes and see our brilliance?

The choice is ours. We can live beyond the jar or not. As I concluded in my presentation last week to the National Federation of the Blind Colorado’s State convention, “Blindness is not the characteristic that defines us or our futures. Every day we must raise the expectations of what we can do, because low expectations create obstacles between us and our dreams. We have choice. The question is, are we going for the gold or just standing still? Are we allowing our challenges and blindness to weigh us down or give us our wings to fly? As long as we have breath in our lungs, we are still alive and always have choice. We have the power to change the way we see, and we have the power to change the way we live! We have the power to be Unstoppable, Unforgettable, and Unbelievable! I challenge you today to take charge, take action, and live the life you want. And, I further challenge you to never allow your blindness to hold you back.”

I challenge you to let go of your Blindisms, go Beyond the Jar, spread your wings, and soar into your greatness!