I was beaten by police and sat in their precinct holding cell, certain that my future was already decided. And now I will be the person in charge of that precinct, and every other precinct, because I'm going to be the mayor of the City of New York.
Interpretation
This quote embodies resilience and determination in overcoming adversity to achieve success.
Eric Adams' quote reflects a powerful journey from being a victim of injustice to aspiring for a position of leadership. It highlights the transformative power of personal experiences and the belief that one can rise from challenging circumstances to take control of their destiny and influence the community positively, particularly in a significant role like that of a mayor.
In practice
During a public speech to encourage youth, one might quote this to show that they can rise above their circumstances.
When we feed people, we should only feed them healthy food. They go to the government because they don't have any other choices. So it's almost a betrayal when you know someone has no other choice but to eat what you give them, and you're giving them food that feeds their chronic diseases.
I hope the millions of people I've touched have the optimism and desire to share their goals and hard work and persevere with a positive attitude.
The credit belongs to those who are actually in the arena, who strive valiantly; who know the great enthusiasums, the great devotions, and spend themselves in a worthy cause; who at best know the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if they fail, fail while daring greatly, so that their place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.
It's far easier to put your future into someone else's hands than it is to slog your way forward, owning the results as you go.
The one ironclad rule is that I have to try. I have to walk into my writing room and pick up my pen every weekday morning
I'm always doing things I can't do. That's how I get to do them.
Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.