The Tongue

Your Greatest Ally or Worst Foe

When I was a kid, while my brother was busy fantasizing about touchdowns and tackles, complete with a football helmet and jersey, I had different dreams. My wish-list consisted of a suit, a briefcase, and a really, really nice pen. Not just any pen, mind you, but a step up from your everyday Bic. Yeah, I was that kind of kid.

Childhood Dreams vs. Adult "Realism"

However, as I grew older, the "realists" came into the picture. The well-meaning naysayers, often family, would start dropping suggestions like, "Why don't you think about a trade?" They painted a picture of a future that was quite different from the one I had in mind, a future that had me rooted in one place when all I wanted to do was soar.

Let's put a pause button right here. There's nothing wrong with having a trade; each job has its own value. But the vision laid out for me was not my own. It was based on someone else's limitations, someone else's understanding of what success should look like.

Words: Seeds of Doubt or Fuel for the Soul

Here's the thing: Words are powerful. They can plant seeds of doubt or fuel your ambitions. Just like a well-placed compliment can make your day, a poorly chosen phrase can ruin it. So when it comes to dreams and ambitions, surround yourself with people whose words uplift you, whose support is unflinching. Your circle of influence can make or break your spirit.

The Journey of My Circle

As a dad now, I choose to be that supportive voice for my children. My brother who once dreamed of a football career might not have reached the NFL, but his son, Rashad Rochelle, is making waves at Rutgers. My younger brother, Justin Rochelle, turned his passion for art and music into a thriving business. As for my twin daughters? They're entrepreneurs running a small business in LA. See the trend? We've each defined success in our own way.

Listen to Your Inner Voice

Other people's plans for you are just that—their plans, not yours. Your journey should be about what makes your heart sing. So what if things don't turn out exactly as planned? At least you tried, and that experience is invaluable. Remember, kids are fearless not because they're naive, but because they're not yet tainted by the fear of failure or limited by other people's visions of what they should be.

Choose Upliftment Over Doubt

Let's come back to the power of words. Why plant seeds of doubt when you can sow seeds of confidence? Your tongue has the power to either lift someone or cut them like a knife. Let's use it to build, to encourage, and to inspire.

Life is a journey filled with choices, and many of those choices are influenced by the words we hear and the words we say. Make it a point to use your words wisely. After all, you never know—you might just inspire the next great artist, athlete, or entrepreneur.

Break the cycle of doubt, embrace your journey, and remember, your tongue is your most powerful tool—use it wisely.

Thanks for reading,

William Rochelle, but you can call me Bill

#OwnYourJourney #PowerOfWords #SpeakLife #FamilyDreams #LifeChoices

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