A year from now, a new phase of your life will be over, and one
more will be ready to begin. I have seen you mature and develop over the last
few years. I have seen you struggle, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and
continue the journey. I have seen you cry and say goodbye to someone you love.
I have seen you wonder if all this pain and struggle is worth it. I have a
short answer for you: YES! You were designed not just for some heavenly
purpose, but for much earthly good.
Never underestimate the power of one. In one year, you will
be starting a new journey, so be the one person who shows those around you a
picture of strength and perseverance. It might be a family member, a friend, a
brother or sister, or a potential student or coworker. Many times I have
received messages that said: “You were the one who inspired me” or “You
were the one who made me feel like it was OK to be myself” or “You were
the one who taught me to love learning and push me toward a path of knowledge”
or “You were the one friend that remained when I needed one.” I do not
take any of those comments for granted, and neither should you.
Finish your degree. Finish those certifications. Finish that
goal of doing something you want to do but never believed you could. Start a
new job where you have no idea what you are doing. It’s OK. There is always one
more goal to complete, followed by one more, and then another…until there are no
more “ones” to be done.
You may not feel like you can affect someone every day, or
move them toward greatness, but you will. You may inspire someone across the
world that you will never meet, and never know the impact you had on them. This
kind of lasting mark takes the faith to know that each hurdle is for a reason.
And that reason could be that because you did it, others can follow in your
footsteps. Be the one that causes people to stumble into greatness.
No money? Money will come if you keep seeking excellence and
never stop learning.
No one to share your life with? Be patient, there is always
someone who will love you for who you are.
No end in sight? Be strong, my friend. The end is the just
the beginning.
I will be the one standing in the shadows with a smile, whistling
and applauding as you to finish the race. Do the same for someone else. Be their
one.
