The grey sky of morning contained an ominous quality. The clouds were so thick they were almost tangible. Then I saw it. Faintly sandwiched between the clouds was the hint of a rainbow. Barely visible were the bands of color, with a straining, subtle expectancy as the dim colors arched upward. It was the beginnings of a rainbow. The hint of a possibility of something beautiful, magical and rare.

Was the rainbow becoming more of a rainbow? Or would it retreat?

Would all the pieces that need to come together to create a vibrant halo of color in the sky so the rainbow would flourish, or would one of the factors jump out of balance, thus erasing the hint? Which would be created? Nothingness or gloriousness?

In your life, where are there hints of a rainbow? What is standing in the way of your magnificent rainbow?

Perhaps it is over analysis. Sure, planning is valuable. And becoming paralyzed by considering "What happens if X happens? What happens if Z happens? What happens if Mary tells John that A might have a negative effect on B so then X is a moot point anyway?" And what if a huge meteor pummels Earth and tomorrow ALL of the planet is destroyed?

Having a game plan is always a good thing. A good coach knows that a game plan is consistently modified once the ball is put into play. Who knows what the other side has up their sleeves? Instead of getting stuck in the worry whirlwind, put together a framework and wait with joyful anticipation of the positive potential.

Maybe you are constantly looking at your rainbow from a perspective of fear. From the disempowering rather than the compelling. Fear is especially insidious, because it can come cloaked in many disguises. It may appear to be care and concern, or it may appear as discernment. Another costume it wears is tradition. You know this one, when your friend says, "Why change? This is the only way we have ever done it!" Definitely the death knell of a rainbow in the making.

Or another way to make your rainbow in the making disappear is to give up on its existence right as it is about to burst forth with colorful splendor. Norman Vincent Peale wrote these inciteful words on this subject: "Lots of people limit their possibilities by giving up easily. Never tell yourself this is too much for me. It's no use. I can't go on. If you do you're licked, and by your own thinking too. Keep believing and keep on keeping on." Countless inventors, entrepreneurs, artists and people just like you have given up right on the verge of their personal tipping point to success.

And then there are the people who stay in pursuit of their rainbows.

As a child, Richard Branson, noted Entrepreneur, was diagnosed with dyslexia. His scores on standardized tests were dismal, pointing to the likelihood of a less than stellar future. Perfect example of how radically off the mark prophesies based on "standardized tests" can be for children. These tests don't measure the passionate drive that fills an individual. They can not hold onto embers that are just waiting to burst into flames. They can not possibly see what can happen by adding the positive support and nurture of family members and teachers: people who instead of looking at the numbers on a standardized test and instead look into the soul and say, as Branson's Grandmother said, "You've got one go in life. Make the most of it."

Richard Branson obviously saw the glimmer of a rainbow and then made sure the environment was right to bring it to fruition.

Media magnate Oprah Winfrey hardly had an easy early life, yet she has said, "All my life I have known I was born to greatness." Her reality was poverty, molest, incompletion of her college studies and then having to switch gears on her dreams from newscaster to morning show host. Did any of these negative moments get in her way of pursuing her greatness?

Many other people would have gotten discouraged. They had a PLAN to become a newscaster, what a step down to be a morning show host! Oh, really?

Who hosts the news for Nashville, Tennessee's nightly newscast? Sure, the people in Nashville and the surrounding areas are well aware of their beloved news anchors. I am sure they do a terrific job.

Who is Oprah Winfrey? If you have been awake for the last decade, you are well aware of Oprah. A role model who saw a glimmer and has been riding her rainbow ever since. Not only that, she has taken the world along with her, enlightening millions as she creates the life of her dreams. Even her fianc