For Anyone Who Has A Dream...

I had no intentions of writing this blog today, but it was on my heart to do so. I know that sometimes life gets hard, but I just want to tell somebody to keep going. If you have a dream, don't stop until you reach it. Keep working hard and stay in faith, and you will see it all pay off. I can't tell you how long it will take or when it will happen, but  I do know that it will happen. That's what I tell myself everyday. I don't know when it will happen for myself, but I know that it will. I see where I am, and I see where I want to be. Everyday I'm taking steps and making moves so that when the opportunity presents itself, (because if definitely will), I am prepared. I'm studying the greats, perfecting my craft,great. Not good because good just doesn't float my boat.  You have to do the same thing. Make sure that you are putting in the work and doing all that you can to make those dreams reality. If you don't work at it, that's all they will ever be: dreams.

Whatever you want to do, you can do it. Don't worry about the naysayers or people who don't believe in your dream. It's YOUR dream! You can't be focused on what someone else has to say. If anything, silence them. Prove them wrong. You do whatever it is that you have to do to take yourself to the next level. The only person who can stop you is YOU. Sharkeisha over there in the corner can't stop you. Little dude from across the street can't stop you. Hating Hattie Mae on your job can stop you. No one can stop you but you. We're our own worst enemies. You already possess all of the ability and talent you need to succeed. It's all just a matter of you tapping into that greatness and stepping out of your comfort zone to unlock that next level and release it. Getting where you want to be will require you being uncomfortable at times. It will cause you to do things you don't like doing. It may require you to work long nights and early mornings, put in extra hours in the studio, stay up studying all night, but if that's what it takes, do it. You remember playing Super Mario on Nintendo, right? In order to get to Mario to that next level, you had to pass a series of situations and obstacles. Life is the same way, but you are Mario or Luigi (whichever you prefer) . There will always be challenges. There will always be obstacles. That's inevitable. But just as there are obstacles and challenges, there will ALWAYS  be ways to overcome them. In order to do that, you have to keep pushing. You can't give up. You have to make up in your mind that no matter what comes your way, you will keep grinding. It doesn't matter how many doors have been closed in your face or how many people have told you "no." You can't let that stop you. If anything, use that as motivation to keep going. There will be times when you want to quit because it seems too hard but know that pain is only temporary, and everything that you are going through is preparing you for something greater. So, to be that motivational speaker, rapper, actor, fashion designer, nurse, CEO, entrepreneur, or whatever, you will have to put in the work. When it gets tough, don't lose sight of the bigger picture just because your snapshot looks a bit fuzzy. Continue to work hard. There is no way around it. If you want it bad enough, you will do whatever it takes to make those dreams reality. As Eric Thomas said, "It might not be easy, but it's simple." Which means that whatever you want is attainable. Now, it may take a lot to get it, but you CAN get it! Just keep the faith, stay focused, and work hard. You will see it pay off. While you're waiting on your moment, work on perfecting your craft. Don't depend on anyone else to "put you on" or put in a "good word" for you. You focus on working hard because that is what will "put you on." Aspire to be great, not good. Good is average, and average is dangerous. Being "good" is not enough. Why settle for good when you can be great? So to whoever felt like giving up, DONT! Keep pushing. I don't care if you have to ugly cry, curse, crawl, scoot, or whatever, just keep going. Don't stop. Trust the process. It all serves a purpose. I want to see us all make it!

And when the temptation to quit begins to knock endlessly at your door like Jehovah's Witnesses, just remember why you started. Remember the reason why you cannot give up. For me, it's my mom, a woman who is selfless and sacrificed so much for me. All I want to do is give her the world or wear myself out trying. She is one of the reasons why I grind so hard. Why do you?

*Photo courtesy of Google