Simple Truths Bloggers, I am proud to introduce BJ Gallagher, author of her new book THE BEST WAY OUT IS ALWAYS THROUGH for sale only on our website starting Tuesday. BJ agreed to write a special entry just for you, our blog audience! It is my honor to present her article:
I'm in New York this week for the annual publishing confab known as Book Expo America. But it isn't books that New Yorkers are buzzing about – it's the nomination of Bronx native Sonia Sotomayor to be the next Justice of the Supreme Court.
The daughter of Puerto Rican immigrants, Sotomayor grew up in the housing projects – an inauspicious beginning for a woman who spent her adult years distinguishing herself with stellar accomplishments and has now risen to the top job in jurisprudence. New Yorkers are proud of their favorite daughter; Puerto Ricans are jubilant; and young mothers in the projects have new hope that perhaps their daughters, too, might someday achieve success. But it's not just New Yorkers, Puerto Ricans, and women in the projects who are inspired by the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. Latinas and Latinos all across America are exultant over the rise to power of one of their own – it's proof positive that they, too, can live the American Dream. Women of all colors throughout our land are exultant that another shard has been broken from the proverbial glass ceiling. And people from many nations around the world are marveling at how the American "Land of Opportunity" truly seems to be the real deal – not just a cultural myth. I'm thrilled and excited too – for women everywhere, for our amazing country, and for the human spirit.
Sonia Sotomayor's story is a testament to her perseverance, determination, guts, and persistence – she is living proof of what one can achieve when she puts her mind to it. Her story is the story of all women – and men – of courage and vision. Her success is a reminder of what any of us – all of us – can do when we persevere … despite the poor start in life, regardless of skin color or cultural background, in the face of daunting odds stacked against us. Her victory is our victory – collectively and individually.
My new book, THE BEST WAY OUT IS ALWAYS THROUGH, is filled with stories not unlike Sonia Sotomayor's – stories of hope, vision, persistence, dogged determination, and a commitment to keep going no matter what. Their stories inspire me – and humble me. Abraham Lincoln battled years of severe depression, grief, and loss to rise to become President and led our country out of civil war; Mary Kay Ash started making cosmetics in her kitchen and founded a hugely successful international business; physicist Stephen Hawking persists in conquering new frontiers in science despite the fact that he is a virtual prisoner in his own body, completely crippled with Lou Gehrig's disease; Paul Orfalea, who, despite having severe dyslexia and ADD, founded his own company – Kinko's – and built it into the success it is today. These people are not myths or legends – they are ordinary people who have achieved extraordinary things. How can I – how can you – how can any of us not be inspired to persevere and make our own dreams come true?
THE BEST WAY OUT IS ALWAYS THROUGH is available on Tuesday, check back for more information, and here's a link to check out BJ's personal website. Thanks again to BJ for your thoughts. And now, please share your thoughts on perseverance, motivation, or whatever you are thinking with us in the comments section.
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