Growing up as an Black woman, I often felt marginalized where I grew up. Although I was young and didn’t have a clear understanding of prejudice or discrimination, I could feel tension at times. But I never let it change my viewpoint about people or the world.
 

Instead, I decided not to become a victim but to rise above, believing people that are still good at heart. I moved forward, focusing my energy on trying to become my best self, and on trying to fulfill my dreams and goals. The candid, must-see TIME interview between President Barack Obama and ballerina Misty Copeland with reporter Maya Rhodan brought up these feelings about the past for me. It was a comforting conversation, making me and others around the world, I’m sure, not feel so alone in our challenges towards breaking barriers to fulfill our dreams.
 

Right in the White House Cabinet room, they had answered enlightening questions about race, gender and success. It was powerful to hear about their individual journeys and things that happened to them along the way. They are such two historical individuals to learn from: Copeland, the first African American to be named the principal dancer at the American Ballet Theater, and Barack Obama, the first African American to be named the president of America. They also share many other commonalities, including being multiracial and having been raised by single mothers. Despite the challenges they faced growing up, neither one let obstacles stand in their way of fulfilling their dreams. They were driven to succeed and to overcome the barriers that got in their way.
 

 
***Read the transcript for the conversation here.
 

For me, the conversation helped me to realize that we are all connected. We all have these deep things that we each embark upon on our journeys towards fulfilling our dreams. Their answers helped me to realize that when it comes to achieving something, you must let go of situations that hold you back; you must press through situations that you never expected; and most importantly, you must wholeheartedly believe in yourself. These are ideals that both President Obama and Misty seem to have continuously stood ground on throughout their journeys.
 

Like President Obama, I admire Misty for her courage and her drive in going after her dream. He had this to say about her during their conversation: “You know, as the father of two daughters, one of the things I’m always looking for are strong women who are out there who are breaking barriers and doing great stuff. And Misty’s a great example of that. Somebody who has entered a field that’s very competitive, where the assumptions are that she may not belong. And through sheer force of will and determination and incredible talent and hard work she was able to arrive at the pinnacle of her field. And that’s exciting.”
 

During their interview, I appreciated their transparency about important issues that impact so many of those in our generation as well as their thoughts on how we can use our lives to empower others and to embrace empathy. As Copeland said, “…be empathetic to everyone around you I think is such a powerful thing to hold. To be able to forgive. All of those things I think can strengthen this generation of our youth. I think having a strong sense of self and just knowing who they are and being comfortable with that.”
 

Their notions on empathy really helped me to realize how it is one of the most powerful things that we each have within ourselves. It’s what we can really use to connect with each other and to empower each other to break barriers. It’s also what we can use to change the world and to address issues around race and diversity.
 

Yes, there were many things to take from their conversation. But I think the most important thing I discovered and that we all should discover is that we’re not so different after all. We each have to break barriers to get to where it is that we aspire to be. We each have our own challenges and things that we go through, and that’s OK. We shouldn’t feel alone, have stigma, or bear these things in silence. On the contrary, we should use our stories to help others, embracing them. We should realize that it is our “breaking barrier” stories that truly make us who we are and that will empower us to individually imprint the world in our own way.
 

Need A Massage? Learn How To Give One To Yourself And Your Loved Ones

7 months ago by Aaron 4 min read No comments

Receiving a massage, whether it’s given by someone else or self-administered, can help loosen your muscles and establish a better connection not only with your body but also with the people you love.