FRIDAY THOUGHTS #32: THE HARD THINGS

The hard things.

Those things that you really don't want to do but you know you should: hard conversations with someone, getting up early, eating healthy, working out, reading, meditating, starting that relationship, leaving that relationship or simply changing your behaviors in a relationship, etc. whatever it is...the life of joy and peace we desire is displayed after we do all of those difficult things. Are some of these things excruciatingly difficult to do? Of course!!! And that's why only a limited few accomplish them. It takes reprogramming your mind to be able to begin doing these things and then staying consistent.

99.9% of people fail to do the hard things and they end up living a life of mediocrity, not because they are in fact mediocre...not at all. They are god in human-form, however, they don't realize this and end up settling for a life much less than they deserve.  Settling in their bodies, relationships, finances, jobs, etc. In EVERY area of their life...and it's unfortunate because they have so much more to give to the world than they will ever know.

Of course many times when you have these conversations with people they look at you like you're crazy...but at least you've planted a seed.  The reason why I know nothing is impossible is because when I moved to California as a kid to live with my dad, I remember driving down Los Angeles, it could've been Sunset Blvd and I exclaimed to my dad: "Papa, look at all these expensive cars!!" I literally saw everything from: BMW's, Porsche's, Mercedes, etc. Growing up in public housing I never ever saw wealth like this.  My dad looked at me while driving and said: "Son, one of these days...you're gonna have a car just like that, you'll have any car you want!"

That was it.  At twelve years old...the man I've looked up to as a hero, essentially told me that I can be special/great.  He believed in me...when I didn't believe in myself.  Years of instilling this belief in me...I eventually believed myself.  My father is one of my hero's. The greatest gift you can give your child is self-belief...and the greatest gift you can give yourself is self-belief.

When you have self-belief...you will do all the hard things.  For example...when someone has a 1999 Toyota, I highly doubt their washing it weekly, keeping the interior spotless and treating this vehicle like it is a prized possession.  Now, if that same person were to get a 2020 Bentley, brand new off the lot - I bet you they will take care of that car like they've never taken care of a car before.  Now - what if people saw themselves as "Bentleys" instead of "Toyota's"?  When you believe in your greatness - having the motivation to do the work necessary to take care of you is not difficult. We take care of what we value. I believe the biggest obstacle to people today is that they truly don't value themselves. It's understandable if it wasn't taught to them, however, the beauty of life is that our minds are computers - and with enough effort and sweat equity we can reprogram our minds to believe anything.

I believe in you. I believe in your dreams, your purpose and your inherent greatness. Keep doing the work and increasing your faith. Every chance you get please continue to tell people how great they are...point out the good things they are doing, you never know who's life you'll change. Also, let's continue to work on our shortcomings with humility and grace...we are all a work in progress.

The hard things...are easier to do when you know who you are. #keepgoing 👊🏾