Og Mandino said in his book The Greatest Miracle in the World, You are more than a human being, you are a human becoming. There is a fragile thread spun through life that ties us to the past, holds us to the present, and leads us to the future. One of the greatest rewards in life comes when we realize all the positive things we have tied to this thread of life.

We all have dreams about what awaits us in the future; the key to happiness is having dreams. This year, as a member of HOSA, you will have several opportunities to step closer to your dreams. Some opportunities will be readily available and others you must create; yet you are the only one who can use these experiences to move ahead. There is power and enormous potential within you to accomplish great things.

Last summer I was in Africa at the Pilanesberg Game Reserve with some family friends, searching for wild and exotic animals. We drove along the dirt roads straining to see any sign of a lion or a cheetah. We were pleased to find hundreds of zebras, a family of giraffes, and a pack of elephants along with baboons, ostrich, buck, warthogs, and other animals. We knew the chances of seeing the cats were small, but we were patient and determined. Just as we were riding the final stretch of road we saw two zebra running off into the trees. Just as we were questioning what they were running from, we turned the bend in the road to find two cheetahs sitting in the middle of the dirt path.

Often times it is discouraging to know the magnitude of potential success and not see the end results, immediately. Life is a journey and it is important to set your course if you want to arrive at your destination. This year it is my challenge to you to set specific, measurable goals about your education, your involvement in HOSA, and the development of your character. Make this a year of becoming and actively seeking out the cheetahs in your life.

Best wishes in all that you do,

Tobi C. Blanchard
National President