When you are climbing a mountain, you know it is going to be hard. You know that there are going to be obstacles. You know that there is going to be fatigue and pain. You know that you are going to feel lost at some point but you will keep going. Too many of us don’t apply this same mindset to our lives. Too many of us think that when you run into obstacles, it’s a sign that you are going the wrong direction. Too many of us think that when we get too tired, we aren’t strong enough to continue. These are lies, don’t believe them. Just like when you are climbing a mountain, the only direction you need is up. In life, “up” is growth. If growth is always your focus then you are always on the right path.

I'm not saying it’s easy. In fact, I know that it is going to be hard. Good. You’ll be stronger because of the challenges. I know it would be easier to sit at the base of the mountain, but you would never see the life-changing perspective that comes from standing at the top. You can only achieve that by putting in the work.

I get this all the time, people will reach out to me and tell me that they don’t think they have what it takes. I hear from people all the time that are telling me they quit before they ever started. Why? Why do people do this? Fear. Too many of us allow fear to tell us our limits. We are too scared to fail so we never even try. Let me tell you the truth- the only true failure is not trying. The only time you fail is when you do nothing. A try and a failure is a win. I need you not to quit. I need you not to give up.

I want you to understand this, right when you are feeling your break down is when you will start to break through. When you break through, it’s because you had to “break through” something. Some of you are going to have to break through hate. Some of you are going to have to break through loss. Some of you are going to have to break through addictions this year. You will be stronger as a result of it.

When you get to the hardest parts of your journey, remember that your current situation is not your final destination. I promise. Sometimes you have to go through some things to grow through it. Some of you are not ready for the next level that you are praying for. Some of us don’t want to go through the process, we just want the reward. But if we got it the easy way, we wouldn’t know how to handle it. Trust the process, trust the pain. Stop being scared to lose and start winning. You got this.

It all starts with you.