I just returned home from seeing ‘Flash of Genius’, an extraordinary movie about inventor Dr. Robert W. Kearns and his landmark patent infringement case against the Ford Motor Company. Dr. Kearns had the vision and imagination to engineer the intermittent wiper (an ‘option’ in the earlier years of the automotive industry, and after showing his invention to Ford, they stole his invention without a formal approval from Kearn.

Angry and wronged, Kearn filed suit against Ford and won. The take away from this movie for me was quite simple and is a theme I’ve written about before: Never stop fighting for what you believe in!

Unfortunately, Kearn’s determination to protect his invention and patent came at a cost: The loss of his family. Kearn’s wife packed up their kids and moved away, leaving Kearn in a depressive, yet still determined state. He was ever so determined to prove that Ford was wrong for their actions and he succeeded.

Let this be a reminder to continue the fight for what you love. Do not allow ‘dream stealers’ to destroy your passion for an idea, thought, desire, person or anything else. When we embrace the flame that burns within, we eventually realize the victory we seek. I can attest to this from my own personal experience. Stand up and fight for what you love. No one can ever deny you the ability to believe in yourself. It is the fuel from which great ideas are born.

Keep up the fight, no matter what.