When Nature plants an acorn, it yields its potential — its destiny — as a magnificent oak, its growth tempered only by the amount of sun, rain, and nutrients.

But what of we humans? What other factors may be in play?

Our beliefs — and that of others — can shape who we are, and how we experience the world. Our growth too is tempered by the amount of sun, rain and nutrients we receive… the sun of love and affection, the rain of our confidence and self-worth, the nutrients of healthy relationships.

When some of those elements are missing, and life become challenging, we still can choose to believe in our Self.

Choose to believe in your potential, that you are magnificent … empowered … capable … and deserving of love, joy, happiness, success, abundance.

Gandhi said it well:

“Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I shall have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it, even if I may not have it at the beginning.”

So, be like the acorn — strive to nourish and nurture your Self, and fulfill your potential and your destiny.