Have you ever thought about the people who achieve seemingly impossible feats? What separates incredible success from failure? If siblings grow up in the same environment, how can one succeed while the other fails? Why can some individuals achieve sobriety from drugs and alcohol while others relapse repeatedly?

We all look at examples of those who have achieved impossible feats and marvel at some supernatural power they must possess. Throughout history, individuals have changed the world. Seemingly, they must be geniuses who suddenly hatch the theory of relativity. Perhaps these are perceptions based on pop culture?

I believe something far different: that all these achievements are based on the power of resolve and resilience—the capacity to recover quickly from conflict and difficulties.

What drives those who overcome seemingly impossible barriers? I believe we have the power to choose our individual actions to achieve our dreams. The power of resolve, if unleashed, can make you an unstoppable force.

For more than thirty years, I drank alcohol to excess. Then I made the personal decision to stop drinking. This was only the first step in a lifetime journey. Innumerable times I had to exercise the resolve to not drink. I have often wondered where this comes from, so let me attempt to provide my personal perspective.

Achieving sobriety means imagining your life without alcohol or drugs. I affirm to myself every day how grateful I am that alcohol is no longer a part of my life. The power of affirmation combined with resolve can keep anyone sober for a lifetime if they choose to practice and develop these attributes.

The power of resolve is what drives you forward. It unleashes the myriad of talents that you possess. I discovered that tapping into resolve and resilience provided the confidence and discipline for me to choose a challenging path rather than accept complacency. I choose each day to become better, to improve my professional skills, and to voraciously learn. This formula has enabled me to achieve financial independence and a successful academic and entrepreneurial career. Looking from the outside in, many would believe that this was a natural skill. I can attest to the fact that everything I have achieved since the day I chose to become sober has been by choice. Each of you has an equal ability to tap into your inner abilities and achieve the seemingly impossible.

There is nothing that you cannot achieve if you choose the power of resolve.