Just Do It

“Who gon stop me? Who gon stop me huh?”
-Jay-Z and Kanye West “Who’s Gon Stop Me”

Greetings folks.

We all have been put on this planet for a purpose. Some of us are meant to be leaders of men, some of us are meant to make music, and others of us are meant to serve others. The tie that binds us is that no matter who we are, no matter what race or ethnicity, and no matter what socioeconomic class we may have been born into, we all have a purpose or a calling for our lives. Unfortunately, none of us are born knowing what that is. There’s no bracelet attached to your arm at your birth that says doctor, lawyer or engineer. There is nothing that appears on our birth certificate which details the path we are to take. We must learn through trial and error what it is we’re supposed to do.

Some of us know at an early age what it is we’re supposed to do with our lives and those of us who know early are blessed. There are countless others who spend years searching, looking, hoping to find their purpose in life. They spend their lives drifting from one job to another, from one hobby to the next, hoping to find something that will not only interest them, but capture them and fill their life with a sense of purpose. The problem is, is that it’s not always what you’re good at that is what you’re supposed to do. Some people are good at selling drugs and robbing people, but I think we would agree that that isn’t a purpose anyone is born to serve.

What is paramount here is that we all realize that we all play a part in this world and that we have to find our role, learn it and play it well. We can’t be resigned to doing nothing, because laziness and apathy breed contempt. It’s not enough to point out the ills of society, we have to discuss them. Once we’ve done this, it’s not enough to discuss what’s going on in the world; we have to do something about it.

Rome wasn’t built in a day and it certainly wasn’t built by just talking. Michelangelo didn’t paint his masterpieces from his couch, and Kobe Bryant didn’t create his legacy playing video games. These people got up, found their purpose and did something to ensure that their purpose was carried out. Technology has made it so much easier to find out what’s going on in the world at what seems like a moment’s notice. However, I believe that it’s also made us much lazier. We’d rather watch CNN report the problems than get up and solve them. We’d rather read about the issues on Twitter and the internet than to go out and find them. The couch may be comfortable now but it won’t be forever. The longer we sit idly by and watch the world go by, the quicker that discomfort will come. We were born with health and good sense not to let it go to waste but to share it with the world.

We would all be better served to follow Nike’s urging and “Just Do It.” The iconic phrase “Just Do It” is captivating for a number of reasons. First of all, the athletes who’ve stood behind this logo, such as Michael Jordan, Lebron James and Tiger Woods, are some of the best in the world. Their presence alone in an advertisement with this logo is enough to sell a few hundred thousand pairs of shoes. However, dig deeper, past the iconic sports heroes and the multi-million dollar ad campaigns and you’ll see more. You’ll see a decree; a declaration to just do it. This slogan tells the audience that if the athletes in the commercial can do it so can they and that they should. They didn’t do it with fancy equipment, technology, hope, or magic. They did it by working harder and longer than anyone else to become faster, stronger, and better than everyone. They woke up, got up out of their beds like regular people and just did it.

The world’s greatest natural resource is the youth and young adult of this world. It is us whom advertising executives target the most. It is we who can determine an election. And it is us who hold the key to the future. The leaders of today will eventually pass on leaving a void. If we don’t step in and grab the reins who will? If we’re not ready to take control of our own destiny who will? We can’t wait until tomorrow to decide to lead. Leadership is cultivated over time through life experiences. The process of being a leader tomorrow starts today.

Today we must get up, get out and do something. We have to pursue that degree that we want. We have to start that business we’ve always wanted to. We have to speak out against the issues that touch our community and then do something about it. If we leave all of tomorrow’s business until tomorrow, when tomorrow finally gets her we’ll be too busy to enjoy the present.

Fear can be paralyzing, if you let it. Mary Williamson wrote these words in her best-selling novel, “A Return to Love”:

"Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some; it is in everyone. And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others." As you stand up, stand tall and “Just Do It” so too will others.

As we begin to write the next chapter in our lives undoubtedly we’ll be faced with adversity. Always know that “without struggle there can be no progress.” Dr. King once stated, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." Young people, this is such a time.

Progress isn’t reached driving along easy road. Progress is made walking down the road paved with trials and tribulations, headaches and heartaches, sweat, tears and muscle aches. We have to be willing to be uncomfortable for a while to have a world worth living in. It will be during these moments of “discomfort and inconvenience” where the rubber will hit this proverbial road. The grass will be cut and the snakes will show, and you’ll see just how much we all measure up as men and women. Find your calling, find your purpose, and “JUST DO IT!”

Thank you for reading. Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!