Life Beyond Measure

1. Embrace your roots and personal history to shape your identity

"We are all that and more. But if we narrow our search as to where we come from, you and I can trace a vital branch directly to two individuals I call my parents—your great-great-grandparents Reggie and Evelyn Poitier."

Origins matter. Sidney Poitier's journey from Cat Island in the Bahamas to Hollywood stardom illustrates the importance of understanding one's roots. His early experiences, shaped by a close-knit community and loving parents, provided him with a strong foundation of values and self-worth.

Overcoming adversity. Poitier's life story demonstrates how embracing one's background can provide strength in the face of challenges. His experiences with racism in America and his struggle to become an actor were tempered by the confidence instilled in him by his upbringing.

Passing on legacy. By sharing his personal history with his great-granddaughter Ayele, Poitier emphasizes the importance of intergenerational connections and the passing down of family stories and values.

2. Navigate the balance between want and need for financial stability

"There was always such a channel between 'want' and 'need.' Even while I was working as a dishwasher and receiving a modest pay envelope every week, I was still unable to reconcile the uncontrollable passions of 'want' and the unmovable insistence of 'need' as they battled relentlessly over possession of my meager resources, with 'want' winning out over 'need' far more frequently than it should have."

Financial wisdom. Poitier's early struggles with poverty taught him the critical importance of distinguishing between wants and needs. This lesson is crucial for achieving financial stability and personal growth.

Delayed gratification. The author emphasizes the value of prioritizing needs over wants, even when faced with temptation. This skill is essential for long-term financial success and personal development.

Learning from experience. Poitier's candid reflections on his financial missteps serve as valuable lessons for readers, encouraging them to make thoughtful decisions about money and resources.

3. Confront fear and doubt to develop inner strength

"Standing your ground will have to be done many times. Sometimes you will win, and sometimes you won't. The outcome all depends upon the nature of it—the fear—and the nature of you, the individual."

Face your fears. Poitier advocates for confronting fears head-on, recognizing that this process is essential for personal growth and self-discovery.

Resilience through adversity. The author's experiences with racism, poverty, and professional setbacks demonstrate how overcoming fears and doubts can lead to increased resilience and personal strength.

Growth mindset. Poitier encourages readers to view challenges as opportunities for growth, rather than insurmountable obstacles.

4. Recognize the multifaceted nature of love in all its forms

"Love comes in many colors and stripes, and we encounter it throughout our lifetime, for good or ill."

Types of love. Poitier explores various forms of love, including:

• Romantic love
• Familial love
• Self-love
• Love for humanity and causes

Love's complexities. The author acknowledges that love can be both a source of joy and pain, encouraging readers to embrace its complexities.

Personal growth through love. Poitier's reflections on his relationships demonstrate how love can be a catalyst for personal development and self-discovery.

5. Cultivate a neutral zone for mental clarity and self-control

"My neutral zone would be a place where I can simply enter at will and be free of all other considerations for as long as I need to be in order to create, or have a sense of self-control and engage my capacity to think, examine, and explore."

Mental sanctuary. Poitier introduces the concept of a "neutral zone" as a mental space for relaxation, reflection, and recharging.

Stress management. The author emphasizes the importance of creating mental boundaries to manage stress and maintain emotional balance in a hectic world.

Self-awareness. By cultivating a neutral zone, individuals can develop greater self-awareness and emotional intelligence, leading to better decision-making and personal growth.

6. Apply logic and reason to navigate life's challenges

"Logic and reason grow out of the experience of interacting with the world, with daily life, out of the instinct for the recognition of logic and reason in oneself, and out of the feeling that logic and reason need to and should be applied in one's best interest."

Critical thinking. Poitier emphasizes the importance of developing and applying critical thinking skills to navigate life's challenges effectively.

Adaptability. The author's experiences demonstrate how logical thinking and reasoning can help individuals adapt to new situations and overcome obstacles.

Balanced perspective. Poitier encourages readers to use logic and reason while also remaining open to intuition and emotional intelligence.

7. Understand the warrior within and channel it positively

"The good wars are the ones we fight in the name of children, in the name of the poor, in the name of those oppressed by overwhelming odds or forces beyond their control."

Innate warrior spirit. Poitier acknowledges the existence of a warrior instinct within humans, rooted in our evolutionary history.

Positive channeling. The author encourages readers to direct their inner warrior towards positive causes, such as:

• Fighting for social justice
• Advocating for the environment
• Battling disease and poverty

Personal responsibility. Poitier emphasizes the importance of individual action in addressing societal challenges, urging readers to take responsibility for creating positive change.

8. Take responsibility for environmental stewardship

"We are now hearing phrases like global warming and climate crisis. We are talking about shortages of water. We are concerned about those essential environmental aspects of our lives without which we are all doomed."

Environmental awareness. Poitier emphasizes the urgent need for individuals to recognize their impact on the environment and take action to protect it.

Personal action. The author suggests practical steps for environmental stewardship, such as:

• Conserving energy and water
• Reducing waste
• Supporting environmentally responsible businesses

Collective responsibility. Poitier stresses that environmental protection is a shared responsibility that requires collective action and individual commitment.

9. Explore faith and spirituality on your own terms

"My faith is enough to stand on, no matter how early or late the hour of the day, to look at where everyone is in the course of all their struggles and triumphs, myself included, and to say—My God, life is so arresting!"

Personal spirituality. Poitier encourages readers to develop their own understanding of faith and spirituality, rather than adhering strictly to organized religion.

Open-mindedness. The author advocates for maintaining an open and questioning attitude towards matters of faith, embracing mystery and uncertainty.

Faith as a source of strength. Poitier demonstrates how personal faith can provide comfort, guidance, and resilience in the face of life's challenges.

10. Embrace life's purpose while accepting mortality

"I assume that there is a power and that it has a relationship to us, and its dimensions and its image are beyond me. So I give it its due. Its due is, we're here."

Life's meaning. Poitier encourages readers to seek and embrace their individual purpose in life, while acknowledging the mystery of existence.

Accepting mortality. The author reflects on the importance of coming to terms with one's own mortality as a means of living more fully.

Legacy. Poitier emphasizes the value of leaving a positive impact on future generations, as demonstrated through his letters to his great-granddaughter Ayele.

Last updated: November 19, 2024