What would you like to leave behind? How do you want others to remember you? Do you want to write a book? Do you want to master a musical instrument? Do you want to be the best in your profession? Think hard, but be careful. Wishes with desire and noble intentions come true!
I’ll share a secret:
The world will give you anything you want.
It is not fair to call this a secret because this ancient advice can be found in the Bible. Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7.
In 1993, I wanted to create an institution where every child could express their written appreciation for their mothers. Being an adoptee that never knew my own birthmother, the contest would be in honor of my adoptive mother, my birthmother, and every mother in the world. Being a diamond merchant, I would award a diamond or other gemstone to the most creative writers.
My plan was to invite thousands of kids to participate where they could read their words to their mothers. I would also compile their poems and essays in a book as a lasting keepsake. Some people said I was crazy. Others said it was impossible. Attorneys said I would get into a lawsuit.
That was over twenty-one years ago. Since then, I have published the works of 72,000 kids. Now mothers can always enjoy the loving words from their kids from the Why Mom Deserves a Diamond® contest. Today, with the help of my staff and Gallery of Diamonds jewelers, every complication was replaced with a solution, and we have published twenty anthology books. These books total 2,794 pages and, counting the essays alone, 1,803,729 words. This is equivalent to the words of 2 1/3 Holy Bibles!
My advice to kids, entrepreneurs, and everyone who has a dream: Follow your spark. Follow your heart. Raise your umbrella. Never give up.
“I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice, and then going away and doing the exact opposite.”
G. K. Chesterton.