Power to hit goals is within, speaker says

When a dream fails, set a new standard, Samuel Glenn told the students.
By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
CHAMPION -- Live your dreams to the fullest as you walk down the path of life, a motivational speaker told an audience of about 450 students Friday at the Trumbull Career and Technical Center.
"Life is all about choices. The path of life has its twists and turns, its peaks and valleys," Samuel Glenn of Chicago told the audience. "But what makes life amazing and awesome is you. You see, choices determine where we go, who we become and what we get."
Glenn has given his presentation to more than 2 million people, including audiences as large as 75,000. He is the author of 15 books, including "Attitude in a Nutshell," which was published two months ago, and "The Gift of Failure," also published this year.
At the beginning of his talk, Glenn spent five minutes drawing "The Path of Life Picture" -- a mountainous sun-drenched landscape in multi-colored chalk, with people walking along a path down the middle. As he drew on a queen-sized black bedsheet, he played for the audience the music of the Temptations, Jars of Clay and Switchfoot.
Connects to teenagers
Glenn, who bills himself as "The Chalk Man," later used computer animation to put the people in motion on the path. His visit to the Mahoning Valley also included a presentation Friday at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center in Canfield.
"I've never taken an art class. I got kicked out of art in the fifth grade. It's a true story. They don't like it when you chase other little kids with sharp metal objects," he said as the audience roared with laughter.
"This is the path of life. This is the road that we're all on. Every day, when you wake up, you've been given the gift and the opportunity to do whatever you want," he said in a more serious vein after drawing the picture.
"Are we going to make perfect choices? No. But you can make better choices," Glenn said. "The greatest choice you can make on this path is to live your dream."
He added: "Every choice you make, it's either going to lead you closer to your dreams or farther away. You've got to think about your choices. Are they wise, or are they stupid?"
When dreams don't materialize, "You might have to turn around," he said. When one dream dies, create another one, he urged.
Towering 6 feet, 7 inches tall, Glenn, who appears younger than his 34 years, captured and held the attention of the young audience, using his artwork and humor to deliver his inspirational message.
"All of you have a dream within you. Some of you might not know what it is," Glenn said. "Are you going to have challenging times on this road? Yes. But you get to choose to keep going. Life keeps going," he said. "Do you have perseverence power within you? Yes," he added.
"You're here to live your dream -- your calling. You were born with value in you," Glenn said.
milliken@vindy.com