For years I was told, “you’re not invincible!” This coming from an person who hides behind their own fears. Have you ever met someone who continually told you could not do something? Dealing with someone with this mentality can be very harmful to your own psyche and can have lasting effect. My advice…run away as fast as you can or merely do not share your thoughts or ideas with them or anyone.

It is not a question invincibility or not, but belief in going beyond normal boundaries established by most. The majority being the 99% of the population that believes in boundaries laid before them. This did not stop Jabez when he prayed to God for expanding his boundaries, during a time of despair.

“Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory,

that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil,

that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

1 Chronicles 4:10

There is clearly a significant difference between those who believe in limits and those who redefine them. Michael Jordan cut from his High School basketball team, only to prove the world how wrong they were. Abraham Lincoln never stopped:

• 1816: His family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support them.
• 1818: His mother died.
• 1831: Failed in business.
• 1832: Ran for state legislature – lost.
• 1832: Also lost his job – wanted to go to law school but couldn’t get in.
• 1833: Borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business and by the end of the year he was bankrupt. He spent the next17 yearsof his life paying off this debt.
• 1834: Ran for state legislature again – won.
• 1835: Was engaged to be married, sweetheart died and his heart was broken.
• 1836: Had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months.
• 1838: Sought to become speaker of the state legislature – defeated.
• 1840: Sought to become elector – defeated.
• 1843: Ran for Congress – lost.
• 1846: Ran for Congress again – this time he won – went to Washington and did a good job.
• 1848: Ran for re-election to Congress – lost.
• 1849 Sought the job of land officer in his home state – rejected.
• 1854: Ran for Senate of the United States – lost.
• 1856: Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party’s national convention – got less than100 votes.
• 1858: Ran for U.S. Senate again – again he lost.
• 1860: Elected president of the United States.
• 1864: Re-Elected.

With perseverance and determination, these famous people moved beyond the normal constraints and redefined their own boundaries. What was this magic formula?

“I didn’t fail. I just found 10,000 ways on how not to make a light-bulb.”

~Thomas Edison

Simple determination and a Dream of being something, others told them they were not, these nonconformists redefined the boundaries for the majority. One very big secret is they never told anyone their ideas until they were accomplished.

“Only those who can see the invisible can do the impossible.”

~Albert Einstein

In Tae Kwon Do basic tenets are taught: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, self-control, indomitable spirit. While all are noble, the greatest of these is indomitable spirit. Indomitable Spirit is the ability to go beyond when everyone else stops at the false boundaries established by the majority. Indomitable Spirit is a summary of the other 4 tenets.

Stepping into the Canvas with an Indomitable Spirit. Knowing that my words shared with  others can have a lasting effect on my goals, thereby allowing silence to lead the way until goals are met. Through perseverance and integrity, self-control and courtesy, we can harmoniously mingle with the majority while maintaining spirit. While the Pilgrim believes in the boundaries established by others, the Warrior breaks these boundaries…and redefines them for the rest.

The Pilgrim calls on others to aid, when the Warrior calls on His Creator…

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. -Philippians 4:13