All That Is Stopping You…is YOU
- October 18, 2024
- By Jared Daub
All That Is Stopping You…is YOU
While many will blame external circumstance and other individuals, the reality is simply. All That Is Stopping You…is YOU.
I started this video with a simple statement: “You have a choice to make”. I used that phrase intentionally to remind you that there is no room for excuses. We LOVE to find excuses for why we avoid all sorts of things, but when we boil it all down: They’re simply excuses. We dig for reasons to avoid action. We make every excuse in the book. I’m guilty of this as well, and I’ve fallen into the trap. But what if I told you there is another way?
Not some hype-motivational pitch
I get that by this point, you likely assume this is just some sort of motivational pitch. But I promise, it’s far deeper than that. When I look around at our culture and our society, I see the brokenness. Do you? What areas of your life are you avoiding? What areas do you know deep inside you could conquer, but you’ve been unwilling to open that door? I promise you, as I have learned this personally, that becoming better requires us to break down some massive walls inside of our souls.
You never know who is watching
I think of it in a very simple way: I don’t know who is watching me. I have no clue how many people watch my example. When they do, what do they see? What sort of example am I providing? Am I living a life of purpose and vision, or am I floating aimlessly? When people see me, does it inspire them, or am I overlooked because I am not achieving real impact?
I can only answer for myself, but I hope my life is impactful. I sincerely hope my life example can change at least one person’s life. I have found passion in rites of passage and setting challenges for my younger sons, but also the young men I employ and spend time with. I believe our culture lacks challenging ourselves to become better as a whole. No longer do we celebrate achievements and rites of passage as a community. We hole up in our own little worlds, vacant from the rest of the people around us. Our communities are dying. And I am guilty of taking part in that in my own circles as well.
My challenge to you:
Here is my challenge to you: your life has impact whether you desire that or not. You have no CHOICE. People will look at you and they will decide whether you are a person to follow, or to ignore. I know some of you wrestle with not feeling that you are enough, and I struggle with that often. I feel that I don’t have anything to offer, that I don’t have some marvelous life to share. I promise you: Your life matters and what you do with this life matters. It matters not only to you as a person, but the people around you watching. We all have the opportunity to leave a lasting impact on the world around us, but often it requires us to defeat the demons inside of our souls.
Fight the fight and understand that you are valuable, irreplaceable. There is only one YOU. You have but one life. Use it to set an example that others will follow. Lead as a servant, become better, and changes lives in the process. You don’t need to be a superhero, you just need to live for SOMETHING.
Find your reason
As I scripted this video many memories flashed into my head. Moments where I felt less than, moments where I was broken. I remember the words in my head telling myself that I wasn’t enough, that I could never create real impact. Self doubt, fear, and lack of faith led me to those dark moments. As I fought those battles and wrestled in my soul, I began to realize that authentically living and pursuing a purpose CHANGES peoples lives. Be present with those around you, be honest with them.
It doesn’t take a PERFECT person to change lives. It only takes a PURPOSEFUL one.
Remember: All that is stopping you…is YOU.
