A couple of years ago I was the emcee at an event and introduced Rocky Bleier, the keynote speaker. Rocky is a wonderful man, full of life and enthusiasm, and he gave a very inspiring presentation. I really enjoyed it.

A statement in his presentation video caught my attention more than anything else during that whole morning meeting.

You see, shortly after being drafted by the Pittsburg Steelers in 1968, Rocky was also drafted by The United States Army. A year later, while serving in Vietnam, he was severely wounded in both his legs and feet by rifle fire and a grenade.

The announcer on that presentation video, describing this event, went on to say, "The doctors told Rocky that it was doubtful that he would ever even walk properly again. Rocky understood what the doctors said, but he refused to believe it!"

Through a relentless two-year therapy program, Rocky Bleier pushed himself and pushed himself, and by 1972 he was back on the active roster list for the Steelers.

He then made the starting team in 1974, and went on to help them win 4 Super Bowls. He caught the touchdown pass from Terry Bradshaw that gave Pittsburgh the lead in their victory in Super Bowl XIII.

"Rocky understood what the doctors said, but he refused to believe it!"

"Don't let any one tell you that you can't!" Perhaps you've heard that statement before, or, at least a variation of it. It encourages and inspires someone to pursue after their dreams or goals.

But, the truth is that you really can't stop people from telling you that you can't, or, that you won't succeed, or, that you're not smart enough, etc. People are going to say what they will, right or wrong, stupid or not.

The real challenge is not accepting what people tell you. And sadly, many people are not even aware of the impact of what someone said to them. They don't realize that their subtle unknowing acceptance of what someone told them is causing defeat in their lives.

Sometimes, things people hear as children stick with them a lifetime. "You'll never amount to anything!" That is a cruel thing to say. It is even worse to carry that sadness throughout your whole life. You can't stop people from saying things, but you can decide whether to accept those things or not.

The words of people we view as authoritative carry the most weight. These words are much more easily accepted and can end up in our belief system faster than the words of people less respected by us.

But, even if we view someone as an "authority," even a doctor, it is still just their opinion. It may be a very educated opinion based on all the facts at hand, but it is still an opinion.

You alone must determine what you will or will not do, and what you can or cannot do. And, if the words of someone else are keeping you from moving forward, then you need to make a very conscious effort to dismiss those words and move forward in your life.

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