Celebrating Women In History: Their Examples Can Help Us Be Our Best
She spent 12 years as First Lady of the United States, but Eleanor Roosevelt considered her greatest achievement to be the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, passed on December 10th, 1948.
When she went to take the podium at the U.N. after the declaration was passed, as described by Michael Michaelis, writer of the biography Eleanor:
“The entire Assembly got to its feet. Her fellow delegates then accorded her something that had never been given before and would never be given again in the United Nations: an ovation for a single delegate by all nations.”
What is it about a First Lady - who became the premier human rights activist in the world - that makes her so extraordinary?
There are three quotes that I believe get to the core of the principles she lived by, and we can use them to inspire action, conviction and courage in our own lives.
"All the water in the world cannot drown you unless it gets inside of you."
Eleanor Roosevelt
The first principle is that nothing outside of you defines or controls you. Only you have control over your thoughts, your actions and your results.
When you take 100% accountability for how you experience your life, you not only become empowered, but immune to anything that threatens to stifle your dreams.
"You have to accept whatever comes, and the only important thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best that you have to give."
Eleanor Roosevelt, "Ladies Home Journal," 1953
The second principle is resilience. It doesn’t matter what happens. You have no control over that nor can you change it. What you CAN control is the courage to stand back up and give your all in pursuing what matters to you.
Failure no longer exists when you have the willingness and grit to try again for what you believe in, especially in the face of adversity.
“It’s your life—but only if you make it so. The standards by which you live must be your own standards, your own values, your own convictions in regard to what is right and wrong, what is true and false, what is important and what is trivial."
Eleanor Roosevelt, You Learn By Living: Eleven Keys for a More Fulfilling Life
The third principle is that you are your highest authority. There is a wisdom inside of you greater than yourself, that always steers you toward what is authentic, true and meaningful to you.
Haven’t we all gone against our gut instinct so many times, only to later say “I should have gone with my gut. I knew that wasn’t the right decision.”
When you trust the guiding light within you, you’ll build confidence, and self-respect as you make decisions that may be uncomfortable, but that make you feel proud of yourself and that stand the test of time.
Eleanor Roosevelt was not extraordinary because she had something special that no one else has.
She was extraordinary because she applied universal principles to her own values and dreams for her life and the world.
Not when it was convenient, popular or validated by others. She simply decided to be true to herself, her convictions and her vision.
There is a light within you that shines just as bright. Believe in it.