Why Not Me?

I don't write on my blog on a schedule. I write when something stirs my heart—when a thought won't leave my mind and I feel like someone else might need to hear it too.

Yesterday, I was doing what so many of us do these days... doom scrolling. Then I stopped.

A young man was sitting at his kitchen table, looking directly into the camera, and he said he had something important to share.

He began by saying that he hadn't spoken to his parents in two years.

My first thought was, How heartbreaking. His parents must be devastated.

But then he continued.

He shared that both of his parents had called him a bum. They told him he would never make anything of himself. Eventually, they kicked him out of the house.

Three years later, he owns a home, earned a college degree, is engaged to be married, and has built a life for himself.

As I listened, I realized this wasn't really a story about the house, the degree, or the possessions. It was a story about determination. It was about refusing to let someone else's opinion become his identity.

At the end of the video, he said something simple:

"If I can do it, so can you."

I've heard that phrase a thousand times before, but this time it hit differently.

It stayed with me the rest of the day... and even into this morning.

For years, I would hear stories of successful people and quietly think, Well, they must have gotten a break that I never got.

But yesterday I asked myself a different question.

Why not me?

I've known countless people who started with very little. Some came to America with almost nothing. Others overcame unimaginable obstacles. They all have one thing in common:

They worked for what they have.

Here's my honest confession.

Sometimes I wanted the reward without being willing to do the work.

That's a hard thing to admit.

Everyone I know who is living the life they dreamed about didn't get there by accident. They showed up day after day. They kept learning. They kept trying. They kept going when it wasn't easy.

Maybe it's time for me to stop waiting for motivation and start choosing commitment.

I don't need more material things. God has already blessed us with everything we truly need.

But there are dreams I've walked away from.

I became a travel agent because I genuinely love travel and wanted to help people create unforgettable memories. I learned everything I could. I loved the training. I was excited.

But when things didn't happen as quickly as I expected, I got discouraged.

And I quit.

I also started coaching people who were healing from narcissistic abuse. I even did Facebook Live videos twice a week. I loved connecting with people and encouraging them.

But I never took the next step.

Again...

I quit.

So what is giving me the courage to try again?

That young man reminded me that believing in yourself isn't enough. You have to back that belief with action.

He could have accepted the lies his parents spoke over him.

Instead, he chose to follow the path that led toward hope, growth, and purpose.

When I look at my own children, I realize they've done the same thing.

They work hard. They continue to work hard. They persevere.

My daughter, Stephanie, is going back to school at 32 because she has a vision of herself working in the medical field.

Is it hard to work full time and go to school?

Absolutely.

Is taking three biology classes in two months incredibly difficult?

Without a doubt.

But she's doing it.

She's committed.

She's putting in the work.

And she's proving to herself every single day that her dream is worth fighting for.

Watching her has inspired me more than she probably realizes.

I don't need someone else to motivate me.

I already have an incredible example right in front of me.

If she can commit to her dream, then I can commit to mine.

What would have happened if I hadn't given up on becoming a travel advisor?

What if I had listened to the experienced agents who encouraged me to keep going instead of letting discouragement make the decision for me?

I don't know.

But I'm ready to find out.

I still love to travel.

I still love helping people.

I still believe that planning someone's dream vacation can become part of their favorite memories.

This time, though, I'm choosing something different.

I'm choosing consistency over perfection.

I'm choosing commitment over excuses.

I'm choosing to believe that my story isn't over yet.

Maybe you've given up on a dream too.

Maybe someone convinced you that you weren't good enough, smart enough, or capable enough.

Don't let someone else's words become your future.

Ask yourself the same question I've been asking:

Why not me?

Then take the first step.

Not because it's easy.

Not because you're guaranteed success.

But because the only dream that's guaranteed to fail is the one you never pursue.

I'm ready to see what happens when I stop quitting.

Maybe it's your turn too.