I received this comment on Roger Bannister in an e-mail. It opened my thoughts and eyes to many possibilities of things I would like to achieve. I hope it does the same for you.

There has to be something you've always wanted to be able to do. It is in your capabilities to do it, but you have to clear away any doubts that cloud your vision in wanting to try.

After finishing fourth, just out of medal contention in the 1500 meters of the 1952 Olympics, British track athlete Roger Bannister set a new goal. A goal that according to many was not only lofty, but also humanly impossible.

At the time, no one had ever run a sub-4 minute mile. No one. In fact, many so-called authorities said it simply couldn’t be done. But Roger didn’t seem to care. His goal was to break 4 minutes, and in a 1954 meet at Oxford, he did just that.

Since that time, thousands of track athletes have run the mile in less than 4 minutes, and what’s most interesting is that the sub-4 minute times came rolling in almost immediately after Roger first accomplished it.

Why then had no one ever accomplished it before?

For years and years, no one, not a single person, was able to do it. Was it because they lacked ability? We don’t think so. Nothing magical happened in 1954 to make human beings instantly faster.

You see, the limitation was 100% mental.

And it took someone like Roger, who didn’t pay attention to what others thought was possible or impossible to remove that limit.

With that mental block removed, in came an influx of sub-4 minute times.

In more recent years, no one thought that a 6'5" lanky sprinter could ever be a true Olympic competitor (sprinters are naturally short and stocky). But although he didn't fit the typical sprinter build, Jamaican Usain Bolt set his mind on being an Olympic Champion at a young age.

And in the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing, Bolt not only accomplished his dream of winning Olympic gold, he did it while completely annihilating world records in both the 100 and 200 meters. And again he reigned #1 in 2012.

Stories like this really inspire me, because they remind me that truly anything is possible.

Sometimes we are surrounded by so much negativity with the people around us placing limits on what we can accomplish, achieve, or be.

You may be someone who has always struggled with your identity and ability, and maybe even your family has a long history of negative thinking. You don’t have to buy into that. 

Break the mold. Remove the limitations — those that others have tried to place on you, and most importantly, those you’ve placed on yourself.

I dare you. See what happens.

The fact is this: You are special. There is greatness inside of you. Wherever you are at, you can achieve more. A LOT more.

And here's another truth: the limitations that others have placed on you can only become reality if you believe them, too.

Are self-limiting beliefs holding YOU back from achieving your best? Or even going after your best?

Don't let it happen. You're better than that. You're bigger than that. And you can achieve more.

It's your turn to believe in yourself.

Today marks the day where you can start thinking like Roger Bannister and Usain Bolt, Carlie Wagner, Maxine Anderson and Jim Hanson.

You are in control of what you can and will achieve...no one else is. Think of what you want to achieve.

Now believe it's possible, because it is.

Get started toward the "impossible" today. You can do it. I believe in you. You are extraordinary. Believe it.

Here are some examples:

An outdoorsman wrote often about the natural environment around him, but he always wanted to write a book. Something held him back until a little hoot turned him on and in his mind he said, "Hey, I can do this, and he did."

A grade school teacher had extra ordinary interest in history. It was so strong she went so far as to share stories she had heard of WWI with her students. Little did she know she stirred interest in the most crucial battles of the war and in the process, motivated at least one of her students to study and look into the authenticity of those stories.

The student went to great lengths to prove the teachers stories not only true but also rich in unbelievable quality. She motivated others to learn "the rest of the story" and opened doors to real historic actions beyond anything remotely popular in fiction.

And another. If anyone had told her in high school she could see California, Alaska, Ireland and Hawaii she probably would have thought, "Yeah, in my wildest dreams." However, the thought was planted. 

She wouldn't believe she could run/walk a 26.2 marathon either, but she did not do it just once, but many times. It was difficult to achieve, but her mind set was strong enough to make it a goal and she did it.

And yet another regarding my cousin, Jim Hanson. His desire was to fly. He asked his parents. 

Yes, he could take flying lessons if he had the money and time. The desire was there and so strong he rode bike to the airport, where he mowed the grounds and took lessons. He peddled newspapers, mowed lawns with one goal in mind.

Fifty years ago, on his 16th birthday, the kid without a car license realized his dream. He "soloed" and accomplished his goal to fly an airplane and receive his pilot’s license. He achieved his goal because he didn't quit. He didn't give in to negative thoughts.

We must believe we are gifted for something and that this thing can be attained by determination, perseverance and hard work. 

"Ordinary people believe only in the possible. Extraordinary people visualize not what is possible or probable, but rather what is impossible. And by visualizing the impossible, they begin to see it as possible." —Cherie Carter-Scott

Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented they like to read about events such as family and school reunions, birthdays and anniversaries, and birth and wedding announcements. In order to read about these important things, we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us. If you have news, please contact me via e-mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; by postal mail, P.O. Box 192, Geneva, MN 56035 or telephone, 507-256-4405.

Birthdays and anniversaries:

• Thursday, May 9th: Elli Pearl Baker, Aidan Jeffrey Schlaak, his 6th; John Jensen, Sue Pence, Jake Simmons, Julie Haroldson, Sue Hohansee, Audrey Horan, Karol Carroll, Nijole Aaseth, Rachelle Doran, Carolyn Greer, Karla Kelly, Jerry Westrum, Jill (Ottesen) & Cam Kehne.

• Friday, May 10th: Tari (Walterman) Erickson, Ryan Callahan, Tina Nelson, Steve Nielsen, Christine Ingvaldson, Dave Oeljenbrun, Mary Wilker, Brody Johnson, Mark & Sara Misgen, Rande & Jamie Nelson.

• Saturday, May 11th: Michaela Ann Hanielton, Jaxon Edward Beavens and Parker Reese Beavens, their 7th; Carol Cromwell Cox, Ed Haberman, Krista Hanson, Troy Janka, Daniel Robertson, Robert Vaith, Loretta Schewe, Scott & Shannon Pacholl.

• Sunday, May 12th: Everal Lageson, Richie Robinson, Dorothy Jensen, Larry & Jean Klocek.

• Monday, May 13th: Brooklyn Christine DuBois, her 10th; David Richards, Rose Glienke, Troy Donahue, Curt Esplan, John Nechanicky, Holly Pence, Tracy Swearingen, Larry Schmidt, Reed Thostenson, Rose Glienke, Alan & Kathy Knudson, John & Barbara.

• Tuesday, May 14th: Clair Dahl, Linda Olson, Anna Mae Peterson, her 8th; Katie Peterson, Ginger Thompson, Bruce Waage, Brad Wayne, Judy VerHey, Mark VerHey, Jeff Christensen, Shannon Krikava.

• Wednesday, May 15th: Carter Hagen, Evan Dobberstein, Megan Grubish, Alex Wayne, Mark Flesche, Dan Hagen, Don Hagen, Nicole Strand Harris, Stephanie Krueger, Neil Berg, Sandy Jensen, Marsha Neitzell, Tammy Thompson, Brett & Jessica Richards, Ralph & Irene Krueger, Jon & Nicole Farr.

Here's hoping that your special day brings you laughter, a light heart and much love.