Learning To Trust The Process and Keep Moving Forward Despite the Challenges

Denzel Washington gave a speech at a college graduation. He said "imagine you're on your deathbed and standing around you are all of the ghosts representing your unfulfilled potential, the ghosts of the ideas you never acted on, the ghosts of the talent you didn't use. And they are standing around your bed angry, disappointed and upset. They said we came to you because you could have brought us to life, and now we have to go to the grave together." Then he asked the powerful question, "how many ghosts will be at your bedside?"

Hearing this put life into perspective in a way that stopped me in my tracks. A little morbid, sure, but also insanely powerful. I instantly thought of all the potential I had already given up on. The things I deemed not for me because I failed the first time, or it was hard, or I had a belief that I was unworthy or incapable of completing it. And then I thought if I made it to 70 or even 90 and kept up these beliefs and behavior, there wouldn't be enough room around my bed for all the damn ghosts. That was the day I decided I was going to do everything in my power to change.                                                                                     

It has been about a year or two since I heard that message. Today I am happy to say I am knee deep in my process. Sometimes I still want to give up, but I never will. Not every day is easy, but not everyday is hard. I have surrounded myself with people who align with my vision. People who remind me of what I am capable of, people who can recite my why on the days it feels like I can't even remember it myself. I am deeply grateful for these truly incredible humans. I also began creating new habits and learning about self-compassion and self-love. I am committed to expanding, both internally and externally, in ways that encourage me to trust in my process while supporting me in continuing to move forward.                                                                                                                            

It is true that you have to pick your hard, no matter what you do you will be faced with something difficult. It's true that you have to decide you want a new life and then go fight hard as hell for what you want. And through it all, it is true that you have to trust your individual process. What you feel in your heart you want to create, no matter what it is, is there for a reason. It is there because it is meant for you to bring it to life. Do not let your fear of the process stop you from becoming everything you are meant to be. Make a promise to yourself to live with a spirit that creates a life so full those ghosts know there is no room for them around your bedside. 

I believe in you.