This is an excerpt from grand-master Lee’s writing, “Straight Talk”. If you’re feeling a lack of motivation, a little down on yourself, or just need some inspiration today, this is the perfect writing!

“Every candle ever lit, every home, bridge, cathedral or city ever built, every act of human kindness, discovery, daring, artistry, or advancement started first in someone’s imagination, and then worked its way out. If you do not think about the future, you cannot have one. If you don’t have a great dream, how can you have a really great dream come true?

Remember as one of my students, that your past is not ever your future potential. In a moment, you can choose to liberate the future. So start right now… this moment. See things in a better light so that things become better. It’s only then that you can become better. If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting what you’ve always got. Think about it.

to me, I truly think that our dreams are renewable. No matter what your age or black belt rank or station in life there are still untapped possibilities within you and new black belt thoughts and ideas awaking, new beauty waiting to be born and to be seen through your eyes. The greatest thing in this world to me as your teacher, right now, thinking about you, is not so much where you stand, as in what direction you are moving. To be a black belt master I have found that you must visualize not what is possible or even probable, but many times what is impossible. And by visualizing the impossible, you begin to see it as possible. Dream lofty dreams, my friend, and as you dream, so shall you one day become. As a black belt your visions and dreams are the promises of what you shall one day be.

The first and most important thing about any goal is having them. Black belts know that a truly great future rarely ever just happens. It must be planned and then built and created. Great black belt minds must have strong purposes; I have found that many other people have only wishes.

Think of it this way – you have brains in your head, and feet in your shoes. you can steer yourself any direction you choose.

Throughout the centuries there were great men who took first steps down new roads armed with nothing but their own vision.

True black belt genius, i think, is the faculty of having faith in everything but especially oneself. You become a person who aims at something no one else can yet see and hits it.

I sometimes must shut my eyes in order to really see.

Imagination is always the beginning of creation. We imagine what we desire; we will to happen what we imagine; and at last we create what we will. Think about it.

Reach deep my friend for the stars that I know lie hidden in your soul. Dream deeply, for your black belt mind will precede the winning of every great goal in your life.”