[Music] what if things don't end up like they're supposed to what if this work this energy I've invested doesn't pay off what if stay average what if my story was never meant to be unique what if I try and I fail what if my friends stop calling what if I let my family down what if people don't like what I have to say what if my idea is a little too out there what if I'm pushing things too far Too quickly what if the worst possible scenario happens what if I lose everything what if success
is for someone else what if I meant to work to pay bills and to sleep what if the starting role is just too much for me what if I was a born follower what if I never find happiness what if I don't choose the right path what if I get lost what if I can never be as good as the person standing next to Me what if a life of meaning will always be something I'll have to stare up at wishing Dreaming or what if I just change the way I look at the world what
if today is just the beginning what if I decide who I'm going to be and become it what if my actions can create a ripple effect that will transcend space and time what if impossible isn't fact what if it's a opinion and what if I don't buy it what If this new world means that existence starts with me what if I can be the one people look up to what if my past got me here but has no effect on where I can go what if every single day is a fresh start what if I
can be the one who defies the odds what if my dreams become the standard what if my ideas change how people see reality what if the term difficult is nothing more than a copout What if my doubters ignite the flame that is my success what if my fear of mediocrity overcomes my fear of the unknown what if second place is no longer an option what if I make the choice to live every second of my life like it's a miracle and what if that's exactly what every second is what if it's time to start living
like it to start thinking like it to never sell myself short what If nothing good happens until I believe it what if I stopped wasting my time trying to convince others because I am the only one who must be convinced we get from the world what we invest in ourselves right the patience the daily work commitment Focus all these things that transform us unlock even the toughest doors because piecing together the world you want is an impossible task if you Haven't created your ideal self first if you haven't built yourself up every day making yourself
a little better a little stronger stronger in the same sense that Peace by piece bricks become walls that become houses that become cities that proceed to make up our reality you are your greatest asset you need to treat yourself that way invest in education invest in health invest in happiness maximize the person and your experiences and your Accomplishments will follow I was once told that to get what you want you need to focus on it with everything you have better yourself every day make your world revolve around success build winning habits winning mentalities winning mindsets
then you can watch the world unfold before you and when that time comes it will be because of everything you've invested into yourself into being better the world reality life it had no Choice but to follow suit there's something I want to address for a few reasons one because every day I'm ask questions that pertain directly to the this two because it will change how you think about your future and it's that effort and talent always find a way period there are no exceptions to this Rule and the funny thing is the people who are
worried that haven't found their path they don't know where to focus their skill set terrified about the Future if that's you you're doing the work right you're thinking about the right things you've made your life a priority the dude on the couch eating chips for 12 hours that needs to be concerned and I would guess that he's probably not and so here's the golden ticket right it's that idea of repurposing your anxiety or any uncertainty you have into a sense of exploration because it's a good thing caring is step one having Drive is step One
and you are there you have the pieces just like a Ferrari in park yeah it's not moving but is there anything to be concerned about think it's on the freeway of course it's going to fly maybe it doesn't know which freeway but who cares that's the fun part it has everything it needs sometimes it's not about where you're going sometimes it's about what you have who you are what you value if you have the drive to improve Yourself you're going to improve so relax because the truth is life is not as serious as we make
it out to be you could go live on an island for 5 years come back and re acclimate and things would be the same here once you see that that you are the initiator of success not the class you choose the person you date the job you take you are the Ferrari the million-dollar man it all comes back to belief and Trust maybe it's door a maybe it's B maybe it's C But at the end of the day whatever one you decide to kick down will be yours to conquer winners find ways to win that's
what they do so you might as well trust and enjoy the process when I think of the people in my life there are many that I consider to be heroes people who have helped me grow shape the person that I've become over the years some I'm lucky enough to interact with every day right I know them Personally others I've admired from a distance reading their books learning from their example it's safe to say that without these people in our lives we would not be where we are today they provide the knowledge the skills and the
tools to take on the world but what they cannot do is push you through the door they can help you build your wings but they can't make you fly for that you have to look inward to the most important hero in your life the one who Can save you from any situation who can take you to Heights that you've never dreamed of the one who decides if you fail or seed long before the challenge is even attempted you the one you see in the mirror a hero is someone who is willing to take the dangerous
road to go where most people will not to put everything on the line for what you believe in Heroes by their very nature are exceptional expect that of yourself know That just because everyone sees something a certain way it doesn't mean it shouldn't be challenged or adjusted you are an innovator striving towards something new and heroes don't run from the unknown they seek it out and find the strength to embrace it Victory is a product of struggle of pain of the times when the walls were closing in around you but there was never a doubt
in your mind that you'd get yourself out ask Yourself how bad you want to succeed to win because once you've decided that you want it that you truly want it you'll know that you'll find success because you know that you do whatever it takes Heroes don't quit in having this faith in yourself it brings a sense of power of adrenaline there is nothing you can't do nothing you can't overcome the world transforms into your kingdom and while it doesn't owe you anything you owe it to yourself to take What's yours from the world so be
your own person live with courage and follow your heart it will never lead you astray sometimes it's not easy to see the Finish Line to peer down that long treacherous road ahead and feel completely confident that things will work out you know that success is waiting there for you in one form or another obviously there's no road signs letting you know that your progress is Paying off there's no blatant indicator that you're on the right track essentially there's nothing right nothing but the feet underneath you taking you one step at a time to a fate
that's completely unknown and it's in this instance while looking Destiny in the eye how you have to remember anyone can say s in smooth Waters anyone can dance when the music is playing the great leveler though is how You live when it's not when all you have is ambition and a plan when it's just you your song and the road ahead there's no concrete evidential Triumph but you don't need that persistence during times of Doubt during improbability that's what makes Triumph so rare so precious it moves the strong wield forward to bigger and better things
things aren't handed to you but they materialize over time they transform from nothing to something they emerge from hardship out Of ideas that were perceived by others as crazy as most achievements throughout the course of human history were you know as a child you place your value on what feels right in the present you're not thinking about two years down the road or wondering what others are going to think your creativity and your sense of exploration are running on all cylinders then something happens we begin to understand the way of things we see what's valued
in society we see What's expected we see how success is defined and so begins our Ascent up the ladder and rung by rung we climb looking above us below us to see where others are see how fast they've moved in relation to us and eventually this coincides with how we see ourselves and as you know how you see yourself is the best indicator of what you will become which is why when so many people aren't happy with their day-to-day that's a huge red flag that's Breathing that's not living folks have been climbing this ladder their
entire lives and never stopped to ask if it's where they were meant to be maybe the top of the community ladder isn't what you want but you never thought you only acted and if you don't think it if you don't ask yourself the question you will climb and you will climb and you will climb until you burn out I try and spend a few minutes every day thinking about this it's the most Important thing I can spend time on It's My Life don't act because you're supposed to act because you so desperately want to that
there's no other option because you couldn't live without the adventure you couldn't pass on the experience here's a secret if you become fixated on a life that means nothing to you at some point you will probably get to the top and from there you will have a beautiful view of everything you missed out on so maybe There is something to the whole chasing firefly routine maybe a 4-year-old running after a glowing bug with a jar deserves more credit than he's given why is it that some people maintain that winning mentality they expect greatness out of
everything they do and others have the opposite mentality they see greatness as a far off thing like something you see in the window of a store something to just look At to dream about not realistic why we all know the formula sacrifice and working hard enough at anything it will get you results you'll make progress the problem is belief people see greatness as something other than themselves something Beyond them beyond their capabilities the thought is not entertained look where you are now where you have been it has no impact on where you can go on
what can happen in the Future the possibility of something better is always always there if you want to win you need to see yourself as a winner you need to associate with winning no Champion ever got there accidentally they knew they belonged with the best so before another minute goes by ask yourself whether you do because that that simple acknowledgement opens the door to infinite possibility the most important story in our lives is the story Untold where there are no Flaws there are no setbacks just an open road mode the story Untold is where you
step away from the world behind your eyes and you embrace the one that's in front of them right this story is different you can't touch it you can't grasp it but you can feel it it's it's not our past self right it's not that fiction that we become tied to and mistakenly identify with it's something different it's anything different it's a blank page It's a new chapter it's an opportunity to bring to life all those times we said I wish you want to tell whatever story you want to tell there is just no greater freedom
and when you step back when you really assess you realize that life is a collection of stories of events that unfolded as we allowed them to and told through our experiences and perspectives the only truths that exist are the ones we believe the only facts out there are The ones we've agreed to accept we are merely authors writers and creators if you're not happy with your storyline changes that's the beauty of life you can make yourself the hero we don't live for the final product we live for the journey the adventure the joy of the
process tackling the unknown and turning it into something of beauty that's why we get up every day that's why landscape oceans and skylines run away with our imagination they're representative of What makes us feel alive sometimes it becomes extremely easy to forget that the degree the championship the executive position these things we seek they are validation but they are not life what you do every day is life how you turn ordinary things into extraordinary things cherish the time you spend there is nothing of Greater importance sand castles will not stand for Forever The Tide The
Wind a million things will Assist in bringing the sand back to its original form just like us its time is finite but the joy of creating such a masterpiece can never be lost that's why we build you most likely won't focus on how tough the climbs were you probably won't remember the battles and the struggles what you'll remember are the moments of Victory the times when you were able to do something significant to contribute to the world to help and be Near those who mean the most to you study after study shows that the biggest
regret of people with limited time left is living according to the expectations of others not having lived a life that was true to themselves we are fortunate enough to have that wisdom now why would we not act on it don't let yourself be the person who looks back and dreams about what if do your dreaming in the present we're all writing our stories make yours a thriller Make it a bestseller live now let that fear Fade Away in your mind there may be a negative narrative that distorts your self-image causing you to see flaws and
criticize your appearance when you look in the mirror but let's change that perspective because self-confidence starts with you notice that the word self is right there I cannot hand you confidence on a silver platter but I can offer you a boost provide you with tools And offer encouragement however true confidence is forged within you here's an important truth about confidence you are already a confident person which is why you miss feeling that way we can only miss what we know you've simply been disconnected from that feeling regardless of where you currently stand in life I
assure you that confidence resides within you you just need to uncover how to tap into it holding on to anything that doesn't Serve you is a great mistake such clinging will only cause problems and you might find yourself blaming others or external circumstances for your struggles but in reality you are the root of the problem I once received valuable advice from a humble man he used to tell me you're the only problem you'll ever have and you are the only solution it took me 5 years to fully Grasp the meaning but now I understand and
you know what he was right I am indeed the only problem I'll ever have and I am also the only solution let go of anything that doesn't serve you embrace the beauty of your mind's inductive reasoning Factor the part that chooses thoughts you have the power to accept or reject any thought or belief that enters your world it's a conscious choice so don't hold on to anything that doesn't serve your growth When we adopt a victim mentality we misuse our personal power and become helpless however if we choose to take responsibility for our lives we
no longer waste time blaming external factors some people feel guilty for experiencing illness poverty or problems wrongly interpreting resp responsibility as guilt the media often refers to this as new age guilt these individuals tend to feel guilty because they believe they have failed in some Way however it's crucial to understand that accepting responsibility does not equate to making oneself wrong when we view our problems and illnesses as opportunities for personal growth and change we tap into our power remember this life is a battle for territory if you stop fighting for what you desire what you
don't want will automatically take over in the past people often saw themselves as victims of circumstances believing that life hadn't Bestowed upon them the same blessings others enjoyed but the truth is your issues don't lie outside of you we used to ask the universe for things thinking it was the provider however we now know that our struggles stem from internal factors our subconscious beliefs which were imprinted during childhood think about the things parents say while raising a child you don't deserve this or who do you Think you are although parents don't mean these statements to
shape the child's entire life they use them as a push hoping for a positive change around 95% of our lives are influenced by these subconscious programs if disempowering beliefs from others are deeply ingrained in your perception of self it's no wonder you face daily challenges yes you may desire success great relationships and good Health but your conscious mind accounts For only 5% of your day the remaining 95% is dominated by these subconscious programs many of which are negative self-sabotaging and disempowering so it's time to break free from this struggle it's not because the universe is
failing to provide it's because your own Consciousness is resisting acceptance this is where change must occur take control of your mind seize command of your Consciousness and transcend these limitations There are various ways to reclaim control in your life for instance in practices like yoga you become the master of your mind preventing it from wandering aimlessly you decide what to focus on and what to let go of overcoming your old self allows you to transform into someone new during this transition often referred to as the void when things may seem stagnant you must persevere and
continue until you reach the end of your limiting beliefs where Most people tend to give up recently I had an incredible conversation with someone who broke through to the other side now magic surrounds her because she now recognizes her worthiness to receive it this realization is key because the universe grants us what we believe we deserve so we must internalize this understanding and acknowledge the thousands of years of programming that convinced us change had to occur in the material realm in the three-dimensional Reality however it's time to shift our Focus to the quantum field and
create from that space rather than being bound by material constraints this transition requires unlearning rewiring our minds to mentally rehearse new patterns at the end of each day ask yourself how did I do did I live up to my Highest Potential reflect on the moments you fell from grace and contemplate how you can evolve your experiences you might Search for guidance seek out Role Models or engage in deep introspection the next time you face a challenging situation consider how you can respond differently mentally visualize yourself taking empowered actions this practice begins to rewire your brain
creating the neurological Pathways as if you have already made those Positive Choices your brain is no longer a record of the past but a map to the Future keep installing this mental Hardware and it will become a software program leading you to naturally embody happiness there's no magic here it's simply the result of installing the right circuits this practice is more crucial than watching the news answering emails or dwelling on the past if you desire external self-confidence you must cultivate internal Integrity the foundation of self-confidence lies in living consistently with your deepest values and principles
while aligning Your thoughts and actions with your highest aspirations individuals who possess unwavering self-confidence are those who wholeheartedly believe in what is right good and worthwhile and they reflect these convictions in their words and deeds everything they say and do emanates from their innermost beliefs even when your world crumbles around you as long as you know you are Doing the right thing you will experience a profound sense of calm this inner peace will manifest as confidence and self assurance in any situation life is full of ups and downs but staying true to yourself is Paramount
your authentic values are expressed through your actions what you choose to do your true character is revealed when You Face difficult choices especially when torn between opposing demands or responsibilities your actions In such moments unveil your deepest values or lack thereof it's not about what you say hope wish or intend it's solely about what you do your actions unveil the truth of who you are you can develop an exceptional set of values by acting as though you already possess those values by behaving with Integrity courage compassion and confidence even when faced with conflicting emotions you
hasten the transformation of these qualities into a permanent part of your Being the more you practice living by these positive values the more rapidly you become an extraordinary individual to unlock unshakable self-confidence essential keys are self-control self-mastery and self-discipline confidence can emerge directly through self- assured Behavior but more often it arises indirectly through actions behaviors and practices that lead to self-confidence the most significant Self-development practice is living consistently in alignment with your highest values at every opportunity [Music] our greatest gift in life is the power of transformation just one decision away every decision we make
holds the potential to change our path experiences beliefs and identity leading us towards an entirely different life it's remarkable to think that everything we once knew about ourselves can be Discarded with a single swing of the axe the past may have shaped our identity but it's an imaginary world that no longer serves us we live at the intersection of the past and the future but the past has no true meaning anymore it's like an elephant tied to a chair with a rope unaware of its own strength to Break Free the past and our sense of
identity are based on Lies We are not defined by who we were yesterday but by who we are right now we often get Caught up in these lies and Overlook the control we have over our future saying things like I'm not a Mourning person or I struggle with public speak speaking is merely a reflection of our past conditioning it doesn't Define who we are in the present or who we can become in the future realizing that we can disconnect from these narratives is a superpower calling ourselves a bad student because of a failed test is
like wearing a rain coat forever because it Rained yesterday we have the power to adapt and change now is the beginning of the rest of our lives by making small changes and envisioning who we want to be we can move towards our ideal self understanding the power of habits and change allows us to see that transformation doesn't have to be overwhelming or scary it's about making small adjustments that work in our favor like waking up earlier or focusing on Positive outcomes remember we are always just one decision away from a completely different life the key
is to choose the future over the past to embrace the next step rather than dwelling on the last one it's about choosing the life we desire and taking action to make it a reality a few years ago I had a breakthrough that changed my life it was a moment when I realized the tremendous amount of control I have over my own Life this realization empowered me as if I had finally discovered the key to unlock the door that had been holding me back from that moment on I asked myself why not start living like I
have this power life will always have its responsibilities and sacrifices but knowing that I can shape my own Des Destiny made me question what I was sacrificing for where was I going who was I surrounding myself with was I living a life true to myself time passes By quickly and it's not guaranteed no one will remind us that we're just going through the motions we have to take a look in the mirror and ask ourselves the tough questions we have the tools and the ability to create the life we want but it requires action and
intention today might be the day to cut away the parts of our life that no longer serve us it's time to let go of people places and things that don't contribute to our Well-being we don't have to live on repeat if we're not happy we have the power to change anything in our lives we often box ourselves in and adapt to a reality that falls short of what truly matters to us but we must remember that nothing happens without momentum and momentum is something we create we are not just characters in this story we are
creators I've exper experienced ups and downs in my personal journey and I Believe it's a healthy sign of growth it's important to look for those imaginary ropes that tie us down and break free from them by pushing ourselves trying new things and taking risks we can create momentum and feel the excitement thank you and God bless you find a way you because you possess immense strength anything less than a solution or progress signifies surrender and that's not who you are Embrace this Comfort today as it will become a source of Pride tomorrow the choice to
persevere carries more significance than it seems in difficult times it's easy to turn back but your path lies in moving forward even through Darkness find a way although safety and predictability may be tempting our souls yearn for adventure life's meaning lies in conquering challenges and slaying our dragons step out and face your dragons find a way evolving oneself is a journey That requires effort keeping promises to yourself is no small feat when you go to bed at night knowing you've stayed true to who you want to be you hold power it sets you on a
trajectory towards infinite possibilities and points you towards the Stars find a way understand that the world is moldable Clay not a checklist life is a gift not an obligation when you find a way you become the ruler of your own kingdom Remember that a path exists the question is whether you're willing to make the effort will you surpass the limits imposed by others the past and your own thoughts can you endure short-term hardships temp temporary Falls and Imperfections are you willing to exchange them for boundless opportunities always remember that it's not about asking can I
or is it possible it's about asking how how do you reach your Finish Line the dots are there you Need to connect them build bridges over the unknown oceans and valleys of the unforeseen there is a way don't forget that it's not the destination that matters it's your determination to keep knocking until the right door opens you have everything you need within you you are equipped to connect those dots decide what matters more reaching the Mountaintop or experiencing its shade at the bottom how much are you willing to give to become more than you've ever
Been and do more than you've ever done there is always a way will you find it before you can reach your destination you must decide to begin acknowledge that what you're pursuing means more to you than what you're leaving behind this marks the start of your Greatest Adventure You Now understand that someday has transformed into right now the road Beneath You beckons and the wind propels you forward life offers no guarantees but that's what makes it Incredible your imagination determines how far you'll go whether it's just outside your door or where the sun meets the
ocean someday what seems unclear today will make sense the challenges that currently appear overwhelming will diminish the doubts you have about yourself will prove false the worries that consume you will lose their significance you'll realize that the path ahead doesn't require flawlessness But trust and belief eventually you'll look in the mirror and see that you possess the strength all along you had everything you needed there was nothing to hope for or acquire that someday will become your reality but what about the Su days of the past I remember thinking someday I'll explore the world someday
I'll speak my mind someday I'll start my own business and surround myself with like-minded individuals someday I'll Have more time and money to do what I love and now I realize that those Su days look a lot like today as we grow our Su days evolve the chase never ends there's always something more something new seize the opportunity believe in yourself and create the future you desire [Music] I have discovered that nothing in life holds true value unless you Embrace risks absolutely nothing Nelson Mandela Once shared that there is no fulfillment in playing small and
settling for a life that fall short of your true potential throughout your journey in school college applications selecting a major and determining your life's path I am certain that people have advised you to have a backup plan Ure you have something to fall back on they say but personally I never quite grasp the concept of relying on a safety net if I'm going to stumble I don't want to Fall back on anything I want to fall forward at least that way I will witness the obstacle before me without person perance you will never reach the
finish line so pursue what ignites your passion embrace your passions take risks do not fear failure allow me to share an anecdote about an old IQ test involving nine dots the task was to connect five of those dots using only a pencil without lifting it the only way to succeed was to venture beyond the Confines of the dots do not be afraid to think beyond the conventional do not be afraid to fail on a grand scale to dream big however bear in mind dreams without goals are merely dreams Reggie Jackson struck out 2600 times during
his baseball career setting a record for the most strikeouts in history yet people do not remember the strikeouts they remember the home runs fall forward Thomas Edison conducted 1,000 failed experiments were you aware of that I Wasn't until I learned that the 10001 experiment led to the invention of the light bulb fall forward every every failed experiment brings you one step closer to success you must be willing to take risks you have probably heard this advice before but allow me to explain why it holds such immense importance at some point in your life you will
experience failure accept it you will face defeat You will embarrass yourself you will stumble in your endeavors undoubtedly this may not seem like a conventional message for a graduation ceremony but hey I am telling you this because it is inevitable in the field of acting failure is an everpresent companion early in my career I auditioned for a role in a Broadway musical it seemed like the perfect fit except for one Minor Detail I couldn't Sing I did not get the part however here's what happened next I did not quit I did not Retreat to prepare
for the next audition and the next and the next I persisted I persevered despite continuous failures but that did not deter me you know why because there is an old saying if you spend enough time in a barber shop eventually you'll get a haircut you will sooner or later you will catch a break and finally last year I got my Opportunity I performed in a play on Broadway and guess what it was at the court theater the very same theater where I had failed my initial audition three decades prior the message here is that every
graduate present today possesses the training and talent required for success but do you possess the courage to fail you do if you never fail you are not truly exerting yourself I will reiterate if you never fail you are not truly Striving to obtain what you have never had you must do something you have never done imagine yourself on your deathbed surrounding you are the ghosts representing your unfulfilled potential ghosts symbolizing the ideas you never acted upon the talents you left dormant they encircle your bed filled with anger disappointment and regret they will say we approached
you because only you could have brought us To life but now we must depart together to the Grave so I ask you today how many ghosts will linger beside your bed when your time comes I recently returned from South Africa a magnificent country yet there are regions plagued by severe poverty that desperately need assistance Africa is just the beginning the Middle East Japan Alabama Tennessee Louisiana Philadelphia all require your Aid the world demands much and it seeks it from you yes we genuinely do we need it from The younger generation I do not speak on
behalf of the rest of the individuals present here but I know I'm growing older we need it from you the young people and remember this you must go out into the world and give it everything you have whether it is your time your talent your prayers or your resources what will you do with what you possess I am not referring to the quantity you possess some of you are Pursuing business degrees some of you are theologians nurses or sociologists some of you possess wealth some possess patience kindness or love some of you possess the gift
of enduring hardship whatever it may be whatever your gift what will you do with what you have now let me share my final thought on failure sometimes it is the most effective means to discover your true path your life will never follow a straight Trajectory I began at forom University as a Premed student I enrolled in a course called cardiac morphogenesis I struggled to read it I stumbled over its pronunciation and I most certainly could not grasp its Essence consequently I shifted my focus to pre-law and later journalism without a clear academic Direction my grades
followed their own course I graduated with a 1.8 GPA the university Politely suggested that taking some time off might be beneficial I was 20 years old and I had reached my lowest point then one day oh I remember it distinctly March 20th 1975 I was assisting my mother at her beauty shop she owned a salon in Mount Vernon there was an older woman present a respected Elder in our town Town although I did not know her personally every time I glanced in the mirror I could see her reflection behind Me she studied me intently her
gaze unwavering finally she removed the hair dryer from her head and spoke words I will forever carry she said young boy I have a prophetic Vision a spiritual prophecy she continued you will travel the world and address millions of people in the years that followed just as that woman foretold I traveled the globe and spoke to Millions through my movies yet until this day many couldn't see me until this day I couldn't truly see Those to whom I spoke they only witnessed my on-screen Persona they couldn't see the real me however as I observe the
Youth of today I find encouragement I draw strength from your endeavors for taking risks is not solely about pursuing employment it is also about acknowledging what you know and what you don't it involves being open to different people and ideas the risks you take the People You Meet the love you give and the faith you Hold these elements will Define you never be disheartened never hold back give everything you have and when you stumble throughout life remember this fall forward stand up are you tuned into what I'm saying and every day there are 24 precious
hours rise up rise up this very moment from the depths of your despair stand up now and commence your Ascent stand up now and acknowledge your True self stand rise up now and declare enough is enough fight for it seize command of your life as you rise from your Slumber and Embark upon your day before stepping outside that door huh make peace within yourself so what if you stumbled so what if you fell stand up now and Ascend with each Mountain you scale the challenge intensifies thus I urge you to Rise concentrate on conquering today
this is your moment the moment of Reckoning to grasp that Within You Lie immense possibilities I speak to those who comprehend that True Grit is born of Labor let me elucidate on grit grit is when Agony weighs heavily upon you grit is when anguish gnaws at your core yet you know you have a duty to fulfill grit propels you in a different Direction altogether how do you surmount obstacles by persistently ascending fall rise falter rise Ascend understand that you are destined for something greater you are not crafted for insignificance realize that what did not shape
you cannot shatter you focus on your determination focus on your purpose and persevere through the Day do not dwell on the tomorrow concentrate on the present I may air I may stumble but I shall rise I may encounter hardship but I shall learn I shall become what I am destined to be and no force can rest that from me for I am who I am how shall you uncover your essence if you cower in fear of criticism setbacks or rejection trials how shall you discover your identity if you lack the fortitude to Rise to Proclaim
I know who I am I know I am capable I know I can strive for better you might question why me why must I confront such formidable challenges why must I encounter obstacles each day at work why must I contend with individuals who seek to test me daily very well here's a mountain let us see what I can surmount oh dear yet another obstacle let us see how I Faire you cannot Traverse this existence Without scaling something if you aspire to ascend you must climb if you yearn to reach the next Echelon you must surmount
obstacles challenges life itself and you know what I neglected to mention this ah guess what esteemed individuals you must labor for it that outcome you ardently desire in your life that Pursuit you chase fervently how do you suppose you will attain it it will not materialize overnight it will not be bestowed upon you you must persistently Climb that mountain you must persevere you will stumble numerous times you will falter let me share something with you there have been countless instances in my life when I stumbled when I faltered I did not know how I would
rise again but rise I did I refused to relinquish my resolve I reached a juncture where I wish to proceed no further yet I declared not today this shall not come to pass because I know I have a duty to Fulfill you can achieve it I know you can but do you believe in yourself you can you can't yes you can be the person you need to be but do not become a mere excuse do not surrender rise Ascend today is the day today is about you yes esteemed individuals I assure you throughout your lifetime
you will challenge yourself and you will be challenged throughout your existence you will confront situations For which you are ill prepared yet you must remain prepared you must gather yourself now you must comprehend that your journey will not be fastled because you inhabit it each and every day merely because something or someone assails you does not signify the end of your life it signifies a test do not halt keep progressing do not cease keep striving do not halt keep battling do not halt keep toiling let this day serve As a lesson not a conclusion let
this day be the trial that begets a Triumph let this day be your faith let this day be your strength and Trav C it Forge ahead and recognize that you have a life to live but if you surrender if you diminish yourself you will never attain greatness say it to yourself I am not defeated I possess strength I shall rise a new and I shall Persevere because I know who I am I am not here to be vanquished I shall emerge Victorious for I am who I am and I must continually strive could be the
best version of myself therefore live fervently conquer this day be industrious be formidable and from the depths of my being conduct your affairs [Music] you Know sometimes you just need to step back from everything take a break vanish and then reemerge with a bang this message is for the hustlers The Visionaries the creators and the ones who dream big I'm talking to the athletes who sweat it out on the field the nurses who care for others the entrepreneurs chasing their big break and everyone in between this is for those who refuse to settle those who
are okay with stepping Into the Shadows to prepare for their moment in the spotlight our world is filled with constant noise distractions and a never-ending stream of notifications it's all too easy to get swept up in the rush but sometimes the only way to make real progress is to take a step back and focus on on yourself to delete the apps turn off the noise and just disappear for a while I'm talking about taking a break From the constant demands of life to work on your own goals without all the external pressures let's talk about
Steve Jobs the co-founder of Apple Inc jobs was known for his vision and Innovation but he wasn't always at the top in 1985 he was ousted from Apple the company he co-founded it was a shock to him and the tech world but jobs didn't let it break Him he took a break founded a new company called Next and acquired Pixar during this time away from Apple he learned grew and gained New Perspectives when Apple was struggling in 1997 they brought jobs back and he completely transformed the company leading it to unprecedented success with products like
the iPod iPhone and iPad his break didn't stop him it fueled his creativity and drive allowing him to make an incredible Comeback another powerful example is Michael Jordan one of the greatest basketball players of all time in 1993 at the height of his career Jordan shocked the Sports World by retiring from basketball to to pursue a career in baseball his decision was influenced by personal reasons including the tragic loss of his father Jordan's Journey into baseball was filled with challenges and setbacks but he used this time away from basketball to refocus and heal after 2
Years he returned to the Chicago Bulls leading the team to three more NBA championships and cementing his legacy as a basketball icon his break didn't weaken him it strengthened his resolve and determination then there's JK Rowling the author of the Harry Potter series before becoming one of the world's bestselling authors Rowling fac significant hardships she was a single mother living On welfare struggling with depression and feeling lost during this challenging period Rowling took a break from her previous career and dedicated herself to writing she spent countless hours in cafes pouring her heart into the manuscript
that would become Harry Potter and the philosopher stone her time away from the conventional Workforce allowed her to tap into her creativity and write a story that would Captivate millions of Readers worldwide her break was a turning point leading her to become one of the most successful authors in history these stories show that sometimes s taking a break is the key to unlocking your true potential when you step back from the noise and focus on what truly matters you give yourself the space to grow learn and come back stronger than ever these individuals didn't just
disappear For the sake of Disappearing they use their brakes to recharge refocus and find new inspiration everybody wants success fulfillment and the next level but nobody wants to put in the work behind the scenes the real work the grind the hustle that nobody sees it's easy to dream about the glory but much harder to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty if you're ready To make a change it's time to disappear for a while it's time to shut out the distractions turn off the noise and get down to business think about it what
would happen if you could focus entirely on your goals for just a few months if you could eliminate all distractions and just work on yourself what could you achieve the public sees the glory but they don't see the hours of practice the sleepless nights and the sacrifices that Go into achieving greatness can you unplug for just a moment and focus on what truly matters why are you here what is your your destiny these are questions you need to answer for yourself and you won't find the answers while you're scrolling through social media or binge watching
TV you find them in The Quiet Moments when you're alone with your thoughts putting in the work when Nobody's watching the reason you're not where you want to be might be because you're not willing to sacrifice what it takes to get there sure it's easy to talk about your goals plan them out and even attend conferences to get motivated but at some point you need to stop talking and start doing you need to disappear for a while put in the work and then come back and shock everyone Who doubted you this isn't going to be
easy you might have to make sacrifices that nobody else in your life is willing to make you might have to give up Comforts sleep in your car or go without food you might have to work long hours without recognition or validation but if you're willing to do it if you're willing to go through the process in the dark room you'll come out stronger and ready to Take On The World think about some of the greatest Successes in history the athletes the innovators the actors who Captivate Us we celebrate them for their achievements but we don't
see the blood sweat and tears that went into their success we don't see the sacrifices they made the prayers they prayed or the countless hours they spent in the dark room honing their craft life is full of distractions and it's easy to get caught Up in them but if you want to achieve greatness you have to be willing to let go of anything that isn't contributing to your success you need to ask yourself is this worth my time if it's not let it go unplug disconnect from anything that's holding you back it's time to eliminate
distractions and focus on what truly matters so are you ready to disappear For a while are you willing to step back from the public eye hide yourself in the gym the library the boardroom and do the work are you ready to go all in without telling the world what you're about to do Steve Jobs once said that Apple never announced their future products they worked on them in secret and then released them to the world that's the kind of focus you need we only have so much mental bandwidth so Much energy and so much time
don't waste it on distractions negativity or things that aren't moving you forward every moment every thought and every action should be contributing to your goals if it's not it's time to cut it Loose focus on your future and do the work that will get you there remember you build in the dark and announce it when it's done so if you're ready go into the dark room put in the Work and prepare for the moment when you step out and shock the world with what you've [Music] [Music] [Music] achieved yes it hurts I know when you
find yourself alone enveloped in darkness feeling unseen unheard uncared for it cuts deep but amidst this pain I urge you to realize the most crucial truth of all you must love Yourself fiercely to make a mark on this world to truly live and not just exist you must fall in love with yourself a new stop the cycle of self-hatred stop beating yourself down lift yourself up do something anything that propels you forward that crafts a better version of yourself understand that life is not merely a series of days to be endured but a Canvas on
which to paint a masterpiece of impact and meaning life is indeed short many have left us too soon not knowing that the very next day would bring an end to their plans and dreams they thought tomorrow waited them yet they did not wait to see it but you you who are here in this moment you are alive what will you do with this precious gift do not wait for life to Happen to you do not wait for others to fix your path life is not a game it is the rawest form of reality filled with
highs and lows and and the undeniable truth of now the power to improve your life rests in your hands and yours alone banish those things that do not Build You Up that do not fill you with strength and efficiency reject passivity and embrace the challenge of living Fully Every Breath You Take is a testament to your resilience do not surrender to despair you are here for a reason each day is a new chance to leave your mark help someone up when they're down be their strength when they feel weak and perhaps when you find yourself
at your lowest you will find hands reaching out to lift you remember struggle is Universal no one is spared the battles you face today Forge the victories of Tomorrow each challenge each setback is an integral step on the path to Greatness do not fear the pain do not shy away from the struggle embrace it for it is The Crucible in which true character is formed as we stand together in this room let us not dwell on the Uncertainties of tomorrow for tomorrow is beholden to No One it has already made up its mind Focus instead
on today this moment this opportunity what you could not achieve yesterday is past but what you can achieve today is in your hands you may have walk through fire to get here you may carry scars but let me tell you these scars are not signs of your defeat but Badges of your indomitable Spirit hell may have tried to claim you but it did not create you you are here because a greater power saw fit to place you in this moment in this life with all its possibilities and yes some have reached Heights of success but
they too had to navigate through their own storms to reach their Summits every successful person has a story of hardship of endurance of Resilience what will your story be what have the those who face greater trials the ones who cannot walk who cannot speak who suffer illnesses with no cures what of them what of you what will you do with this one wild and precious life you've been given will you falter because of a bad day a lost job or a moment that didn't go your way or will you Rise recognizing that every challenge is
a stepping stone to Greater height we are all accountable all responsible not only for ourselves but for one another and as long as your heart beats as long as air fills your lungs you are not done your story is not over the time is now not to lie down but to rise up rise above despair rise above defeat push forward not back for time waits for no one and it certainly won't pause for you It's time to show What You're Made Of Time time to prove that your existence is not in vain it takes grit
it takes sacrifice it takes a Relentless will to push through when every fiber of your being wants to give up but this is not about pity this is about rising to the occasion of your life celebrate your existence for no matter the circumstances the act of living offers you the chance to change to evolve to Transcend so many May doubt you but while they doubt spend no time on their skepticism instead invest your energy in believing in yourself live your life with a breath of passion and purpose you hear it the call to live to
really live breathe in life breathe in possibility breathe in your potential and let's embark on this journey together with hearts full and Spirits Undeterred ready to embrace each moment each challenge each opportunity to truly live let's make our lives extraordinary [Music] together every day that you wake up remember someone else did not you are alive for a reason and it's not by accident why are you here this is your day you have a limited window just another 24 hours because tomorrow is not guaranteed the reason why days often Feel meaningless is because we're walking aimlessly
it's time to find your direction what are you going to do in these 24 hours that you didn't do yesterday are you going to level up even just 2 m met further will you get stronger wiser and more resilient will you seize the opportunity of each new day let's reflect on some famous Warriors who face defeat but came back stronger to win their battles think about Alexander the Great One of History's Greatest military leaders during his campaign in India he faced Fierce resistance at the Battle of the hi High dasp his army was exhausted and
the enemy's War elephants posed a serious challenge Alexander's initial plan to cross the hi High dasp River and surprise his enemies failed resulting in a setback but did he give up No Alexander learned from his mistakes and crafted a new strategy he realized that his direct approach had been too predictable so he devised a clever deception instead of launching a frontal assault he decided to divide his forces he left part of his army at the original crossing point to distract the enemy while secretly leading a larger Force Downstream to cross the river at night this
surprise maneuver caught the Indian Forces off guard allowing Alexander to gain a tactical Advantage by using strategic deception and timing he was able to outmaneuver his enemies and ultimately Triumph This Victory demonstrated Alexander's ability to adapt innovate and use his failures to fuel future success or consider ulyses srant the famous American Civil War General early in his career Grant experienced setbacks including failures At the Battle of Belmont and the Battle of Shiloh critics questioned his leadership and he faced immense pressure to step down but Grant didn't let those defeats Define him he learned from his
mistakes adjusted his tactics and eventually led the Union Army to victory his resilience and determination to keep fighting despite initial setbacks are a testament to the power of perseverance another example is Admiral Horatio Nelson one of Britain's most Celebrated Naval commanders during the Battle of Santa Cruz to Tenerife he suffered a significant defeat and even lost his arm yet Nelson didn't let this failure deter him instead he used the lessons learned from that battle to refine his Naval tactics eventually leading the British to decisive victories at the Battle of the Nile and the Battle of
Trafalger Nelson's comeback from defeat Is a story of grit determination and unwavering Focus these examples show that even the strongest War Warriors face defeat they make mistakes they fall but they learn adapt and come back stronger how are you learning from your defeats how are you adapting to ensure you don't make the same mistakes again it's time to rise above your setbacks and take control of your future this day seize the opportunities You have face where you are be aware of your finances relationships and mental health let's take stock this is the day to read
that book to start that new venture to invest in yourself because this is your day this is your moment this is your turn to Own It Crush this day push harder learn more invest wisely and take it seriously if you're going to win today you've got to heal from the mistakes of Yesterday don't let yesterday's failures hold you back you've got to believe that you don't have to make the same mistakes take a lesson from Warriors like Alexander Grant and Nelson mistakes are part of the journey but they don't Define your destiny heal from every
harsh word every disappointment heal from those who pushed you down from those who weren't there when you needed Them today let go of what you didn't have and embrace what you have accept where you are acknowledge the truth and give yourself time to heal learn from your mistakes and from the mistakes of others study why you failed how you failed and make sure you don't repeat those mistakes if you're going to win the Battle of life you need a high threat threshold for paying because there will be Setbacks people will disappoint you circumstances will unravel
life will hit you hard but you have to stay focused even when it hurts even when you're ostracized or ignored It Might Sting but the pain will pass Warriors know that pain is temporary but Victory is worth the struggle to crush this day think differently plan differently set your goals and write Them down get clear get specific write down your dreams and let them guide your actions if you want success the planning stages must matter you need to understand the value of the process remember no great warrior fights alone find people who will hold you
accountable who will lift you up who Will push you when you're down Alexander had his trusted generals Grant had his dedicated officers and Nelson had his loyal Sailors find your support system your circle of accountability and let them guide you toward Victory I speak healing over you I speak breakthrough into your life no matter how hard you've Fallen you have enough grip enough Grace Enough faith and enough courage to stand up and keep going it's time to rise this is your day get up and Conquer it this message is for the ones who started with
nothing for those who grew up without the safety net others took for granted I'm talking to the ones who were written off who were misunderstood who were told they wouldn't make it this is for you the ones who've had to claw and fight for Every inch who've had to battle through the pain the doubt and the fear to get where you are today you have dreams maybe it's to own your own home to build a better relationship to win a competition or to pull your family out of poverty whatever it is that dream is the
fuel that keeps you going when everyone else says you can as an underdog you've Been told you're not enough that you're too small too slow too inexperienced but the beauty of being an underdog is that you have nothing to lose you're climbing that hill and the only thing pushing you forward is your dream you've been overlooked undervalued and maybe even betrayed people stop believing in you but here's the thing about underdogs when they're pushed to the Edge when they've had enough they become dangerous a desperate Underdog is someone who disrupts the status quo who doesn't
play by the rules who is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their dream when you're hungry you become a force to be reckoned with and when you finally get that taste of what could be nothing can stop you if you've ever felt like an underdog you're in good Company some of the most successful people in the world started from nothing overlooked underestimated counted out they were told they couldn't do it that they weren't good enough but they proved everyone wrong let's take a look at a few real life underdogs Who Rose From the
Ashes and became icons of success consider Sylvester Stallone he was a struggling actor with a speech Impediment and faced countless rejections in Hollywood but he had a dream he wrote the screenplay for Rocky a story about an underdog boxer who gets a shot at the championship when Stallone pitched his script he insisted on playing the lead role despite Studios wanting a more established actor his determination paid off Rocky became a hit earning multiple Academy Award nominations and launch Stallone's Successful acting career his story resonates with underdogs everywhere showing that with enough grit and determination you
can overcome any obstacle another notable example of an underdog who faced immense obstacles and Rose to success is Jim Carrey before becoming a household name for his iconic roles in comedy car's early life was anything but glamorous he grew up in a family that Struggled financially and as a teenager he had to drop out of school to help support his family at one point his family lived out of a van highlighting the severe hardships they faced despite these challenges Carrie had a dream of becoming a comedian and actor he performed standup comedy in small clubs
and faced rejection and Criticism along the way his journey to success wasn't straightforward and he often had to work odd jobs to make ends meet while pursuing his career in entertainment but car's persistence and resilience never wavered to stay motivated he wrote himself a check for $10 million and dated it for 10 years in the future this symbolic Gesture represented his belief in his talent and his determination to achieve success Against All Odds car's breakthrough came with his roles in Ace Ventura Pet Detective the mask and Dumb and Dumber these films catapulted him to fame
and he became one of Hollywood's most recognizable and successful comedic actors being an underdog isn't a Disadvantage it's a source of strength when you're counted out when you're told you can't do something it ignites a fire within you drives you to prove everyone wrong to achieve what others thought was impossible the underdog mentality is about turning setbacks into fuel about using adversity as a stepping stone to Greatness you've been underestimated counted out Ignored but that only makes you stronger you've had to fight for everything you have when the world says you can't it's like music
to your ears it awakens something inside you something Primal something that refuses to be kept down the underdog mentality takes the pain the doubt and the fear and turns it into fuel if you came from Nothing that's everything you need to become something think about it everyone wants a piece of the pie but the pie doesn't get bigger it's The Underdogs the hungry ones who are willing to push through anything to get their share they don't wait for opportunities to come to them they go out and sees Them the pie doesn't pursue you you got
to go after it with everything you got you might have to push people out of your way climb over obstacles and fight for every inch but that's what makes an underdog so powerful so if you're listening to this and you're feeling defeated if you're facing a challenge that seems Insurmountable you've got to find that hunger within you you've got to smell blood once you get that scent once you see what you're capable of there's no turning back in the face of adversity in the face of everyone who said you couldn't you become armed and dangerous
you become Unstoppable the underdog doesn't let Setbacks Define them they don't let other people's opinions shape their reality when the world says you can't the underdog says watch me it's a mindset a mentality that says all I have is all I need you don't need validation from others you don't need approval you just need that dream that fire that hunger to keep pushing forward if you're going to come back From a setback you got to make up your mind that you're no longer going to live in the pain of the past pain is inevitable but
it doesn't have to Define you the underdog is the one who scrambles who barks who runs after whatever they want when a dog is hungry nothing stands in its way it comes for Blood and that's what you need the hunger the drive the willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve your dream nine times out of 10 the underdog comes out on top because they're hungrier the wolf climbing the hill is always hungrier than the one sitting at the top the underdog has something to prove And that's what makes them so dangerous so if you've
been overlooked if you've been told you're not enough if you've been counted out remember this the underdog always has the advantage because they've got nothing to lose and everything to gain so what are you waiting for it's time to embrace the underdog mentality it's time to climb that Hill To prove everyone wrong and to show the world What You're Made Of cuz at the end of the day all you have is all you need now go out there and get what's yours