Akeelah and the Bee

By Jill Koenig
Author, Coach, Motivational Speaker


I am a sponge. I am always learning, no matter what activity I am engaged in. I derive inspiration from everyone and everything around me. I heard a great deal of positive buzz about a movie called "Akeelah and the Bee" which was just released in theaters in America so I went to see what it was all about.

It is a story about an 11 year old girl, named Akeelah, who lives in thug infested South Central Los Angeles, where scholastic goals are perceived as a sign of inferiority. Akeelah's father is deceased, her brother is involved with gangs, her sister is raising a newborn baby on her own. Akeelah's mother is worn out and stressed out from the demands of life. Akeelah experiences the gamut of social and educational challenges that many children her age experience. However, Akeelah happens to be terrific at spelling words. Akeelah wins the spelling bee at her school and her principal challenges her to strive for the next level at the NationalSpelling Bee competition in Washington DC. There the participants are asked to spell complex words that most of us will never hear in our lifetime.

Although he recognizes her raw abilities, her principal understands the highly advanced level of the participants at the national level so he recommends Akeelah get coached by a former spelling bee champion and professor. Akeelah's school was not known for academic excellence. She would need to learn everything she could about word origins. I got butterflies as I watched her ambivalence about utilizing a coach, something that many people experience initially. The Professor/coach teaches Akeelah in a way that challenges her to think, not merely to memorize words. Akeelah is faced with the decision to stay at her current level or work with a coach and strive to become a Champion.

There are times in every life when you are faced with a decision to stay comfortable where you are, or to strive to achieve a higher level. This requires taking risks. It takes courage and brings uncertainty and unknown pain and pleasure. Akeelah chose to see how high she could go. Her resolve and commitment inspired everyone around her. It will inspire you too.

I won't give away the ending because it is not as predictable as you might think. You will be on the edge of your seat. I was cheering and shouting at the screen and so was everyone around me. You could feel the energy in the theater. You will be cheering for Akeelah to develop her greatness. I suggest you see it as soon as you can and when it is released on DVD, add it to your DVD library.

We all want to live up to our potential. We all want to better our best. We don't always know how to get there on our own, but once we set a goal, a coach can help us stay with it and achieve it in less time.

Akeelah did all the right things. She set a goal, she found a coach, she surrounded herself with other supportive, successful people, even though it took a great deal of time and effort. She found visual images of her goal and viewed them regularly and allowed her subconscious mind to work on her dream. She saw herself as a Champion in her own mind. When her loved ones did not support her initially, her display of courage, commitment and determination inspired them to jump on board. The same thing will happen on your way to your dreams.

If you want to discover the Champion inside you, consider hiring a coach. When a coach appears, seize the opportunity to have someone to bring out the best in you.

http://www.GoalGuru.com

Sometimes in life you need to work with someone who sees your potential. I accomplished so many things in life and business because someone saw more potential in me than I knew I had. My coaches and mentors led me towards a greater destiny than I knew how to achieve on my own. I honor them every time I give a little more, go a little further and encourage others to do the same.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.

Your playing small doesn't serve the world.

There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that otherpeople won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us -- it's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

I challenge you to find all of the greatness inside of you.

Live Your Dreams,

Jill Koenig

Fifth Grade Spelling Bee Champion
Author, Coach, Motivational Speaker

http://www.GoalGuru.com