Keep your eyes on your strengths. Allow the talents you have to direct your path into the future. Your weaknesses do not determine who you are. They are merely reminders of who you are not.

Thomas Edison was an American inventor, scientist and businessman. He was almost deaf from early childhood. Yet, he did not spend his time trying to learn to hear. Edison chose to focus on his strengths rather than his weaknesses.

Edison used his ability to think, organize and create. He sold candy and newspapers on trains. He also supplemented his income by selling vegetables. These small endeavors began his course on a long list of entrepreneurial ventures. He started 14 companies. One of which is General Electric, which is still in operation today. Edison changed the world by focusing on his strengths.

Focus on your strengths. Practice those strengths until they become excellent. The path to your future will open as you develop who you really are.

This past Sunday, an excited and focused group of people gathered together for a singular purpose - to let our government leaders know that we stand for traditional marriage and for the right to vote on issues that affect the moral compass of our society.  Deitrick and Damita Haddon, the Rev. Walter Fauntroy and the Rev. Alveda King (niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) were among the notables who spoke. Here is the speech I delivered at that event.

Today we are gathering in front of the greatest symbol of American power - the Capitol. We come here today to express our confidence in the institution of marriage. More specifically, we have also come to say to the residents of Washington, D.C.; our two houses of Congress, the Supreme Court and the President of these great United States that marriage (in its traditional form) is one of the nation's richest treasures.

Dare to dream a big dream. Give your dream an opportunity to happen. Too many people give up on their dream and settle for the ordinary. The extraordinary is available to all who will pursue their aspiration and reach new heights in life.

Two brothers-in-law had a dream. They wanted to make a mere $75 each week. Their goal seemed extraordinary. Yet, they continued to dream. They took a single product and served in 31 different ways and Baskin-Robbins ice cream had been born. Their dream had became a reality.

The vision is now bigger than the two had ever imagined. People who love ice cream are glad the founders never gave up on their ambition.

Go ahead and dream. Dream a big dream. Give it an opportunity to happen. The world is waiting for your dream to become a reality.

Your situation may seem impossible at the moment and you may not see any immediate solutions. You may not have the answers, but know you're not alone. There are a lot of people around you suffering from more adverse situations than you.

One young man, David Rothenberg, made it through an impossible situation. In an angry outburst, Rothenberg's father poured kerosene over the young boy's body and the entire room. He then lit the room and Rothenberg's body on fire.

As a result, 95 percent of his body was covered with third-degree burns. The outlook was grim; an estimated five thousand operations would be needed for him to recover. Through it all, David remained full of hope for his future. At the tender age of seven he responded to his adversity with these words.

"I am alive! I am alive! I am alive! I didn't miss out on living! And that is wonderful enough for me."

Rothenberg made it through his adversity and so can you. After all, you are alive. That fact is wonderful enough.

Problems are all around us. Some problems seem like impossible situations. They can leave a person feeling anxious, fearful and depressed. Still other problems can be so overwhelming that a person cannot imagine being able to solve them.

J. C. Penny understood the emotional turmoil involved in dealing with problems. He was the founder JCPenny department stores. After being successful in business, he found himself in a crisis. Penny suffered a financial setback, after the stock market crashed during the Great Depression. He was admitted to a psychological institution as a result. After hearing the hymn, "God Will Take Care of You," Penny had a spiritual turnaround. He later said, "I am grateful for all my problems. After each one was overcome, I became stronger and more able to meet those that were still to come. I grew in all my difficulties."

Find the grace to be thankful for your problem. Overcome your situations and discover new strength. You have a great future ahead of you!