I was invited by a dear brother to an occasion organized by Association of Deaf Nigerians in America. A leaflet of schedule of events was given to me as I was led to my seat. The events included activities like, dancing, singing of National Anthem and lecture. Oh yes I just said dancing and singing in an environment where all the organizers are deaf.  In fact, the dancers are some of the most gifted dancers I have ever seen.

The American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter later joined me and a dignitary from the embassy as the event kicked off. The lecture, delivered by a PhD holder who is also deaf, focused on how deaf people, against all odds, broke down barriers and should keep reaching high in their places of endeavors. I was greatly inspired by the lecture.

“Success is not what you have done compared to what others have done. Success is what you have done compared to what you were supposed to do”. – Tony Evans

After the lecture, a gentle man, whom I learnt is an established accountant in California, walked up to our table to say hello. Like many of the professionals present that day, he had flown to witness this yearly event in Washington D.C.

This happy and very smart people grew in their respective careers by embracing the understanding that you don’t need to be bound by the societal definition of “you need to be able to hear and speak to be successful”. They went on to create a trajectory to success and are impacting lives.

“Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it”.- Bruce Lee

There are mentors or role models we look up to and learn from in areas of our lives in order to shorten our learning curves and avoid mistakes they may have made. But don’t forget they are still humans. Becoming a fake version of other people can hamper your God given potential and ability to create.

Be careful of what you imitate. It might be the wrong thing.