I recently bought a gift card. When I saw it, I just couldn't resist. On the front was a picture of a kitten looking into a mirror. The reflection the kitten sees is that of a lion, king of beasts. Many would just get a little laugh out of this tiny card. It had a much different effect on me. My mind started pondering the many ways to look at the message behind it.

You see, I believe that the root of our successes and failures in this life all boil down to the message in that little card. What we get out of life depends on how we see ourselves. No doubt, that little kitten on the card sees nothing as an obstacle because he sees himself as the king of beasts. After all, a lion is all-powerful. A lion cannot be defeated. This little kitten would not run from danger, because of the way he sees himself.

We all have areas of our character where we need to be able to see ourselves as lions, invincible and all-powerful. The unfortunate truth is that most don't know how to begin to see themselves as such. We continue to see ourselves as kittens, again and again.

Overcoming failure and achieving ultimate success depends on our ability to be able to begin to view ourselves as the king of the jungle in particular areas.

What did I do with that gift card? It is prominently displayed atop my computer tower. I gaze at it several times each day. Every time I face a situation where I need to see myself as a lion, that card is there to remind me.

What areas of your life are begging for you to begin to see yourself as a lion? Talk to yourself. Speak positive things about yourself and your abilities. As you do so, you will begin to become the very thing you desire. How do you see yourself?