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Stop growing
“Stop growing” is good to hear when you’re a kid or when it comes from someone older who has known you since a young age. It’s how I already feel about my newborn baby. It’s used to express admiration for a younger person’s achievements and progress. It’s beautiful to see, but you also miss them being so young and small. You also realize you’re getting old yourself LOL.
“Stop growing” could be bad once you are an adult. It can be seen as controlling or manipulative. This person may feel threatened by your personal growth and development because they fear that it will change the dynamics of your relationship or their own sense of security.
So, stop growing, but don’t stop growing.
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Not Every Kernel Pops
Every kernel in the popcorn bag has potential to pop. Majority of the time, not every single one pops. It takes the right amount of water inside of that kernel as well as the right amount of heat evenly distributed in order for that kernel to pop.
We are all kernels. We all have potential to “pop” or reach our goals, but not everyone will be successful. It’s important to keep trying and striving towards our goals, even if we experience setbacks or failures along the way.
Make sure you have the right ingredients inside of you to pop. Know that it takes a little heat & pressure to pop also. Not every kernel pops, but that doesn’t mean you can’t. Unlike the kernel in the popcorn bag, the choice is yours.
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Not Knowledge, Action
“Knowledge isn’t power until it is applied.” – Dale Carnegie
Taking action is more important than just having knowledge or information. In other words, it is better to do something than to simply know about it. Don’t waste all the knowledge that you have. Make sure to apply it also. It’s possible.
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Don’t Wait to Change
Don’t wait to change for the better. You don’t know how long you have to change. It’s important to prioritize our personal growth and make positive changes to our lives, not just for ourselves but for the people around us who could benefit from our progress (they are most likely the ones that are hurting from our lack of progression also).
We never know how much time we have, so it is important to act with urgency and make the most of the time we do have. Let others see the change. Let them see that it’s possible. Let yourself see that it’s possible also. The time is now.
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The Importance of Presence
Having a newborn baby is a life-changing experience that really makes you realize the importance of the present moment. As a parent, I am responsible for my baby’s wellbeing and future. That requires me to be fully present and attentive here and now. It makes me understand that I don’t know everything, and makes me want to learn something new everyday to become a better and more efficient parent. It also teaches me to appreciate the small moments and milestones that make up my baby’s growth and development.
Parenthood has taught me to stay in the present as opposed to dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. I know if I do what’s needed at this very moment, everything else will work itself out. It’s hard to think about anything else when your baby is hungry or needs their diaper changed, and that’s ok.
I now understand the importance of presence. Not just with my baby, but in all avenues of life. It’s really about doing the most important thing right now, then moving on to the next most important thing. Rather it’s my baby or my life, I know if I stay present and do what’s needed in that moment, the future will handle itself. Because “the future of the future is the present”
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The Power of Following Instructions
I used to never follow the cooking instructions that are listed on the back of packaged food. I felt that I knew what I was doing, or I didn’t like my food cooked the way that’s on the package. As a result, my food never came out consistent. It might taste good one time, then bad the next. Overcooked one time, then undercooked the next.
Over time I have realized that following the cooking instructions has increased my cooking skills tremendously. Not only do I follow the instructions, I make sure I have all the utensils and ingredients that are needed. I can now follow any recipe and cook just about anything (my baking skills still need a little work LOL).
In cooking and real life, we must follow the instructions. There are laws (instructions) to success. Things such as schooling, mentors, religion, etc. Instructions are designed to guide us towards success by minimizing errors and maximizing efficiency. Whether it’s cooking or achieving success in any other field, following the instructions can greatly increase our chances of success.
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Embrace the Pain
There was a time when whenever I had any aches or pains in my body, I would go take some ibuprofen. I’m hesitant to do that now because I know that’s not the only solution, and it’s not good for your body to take a lot of ibuprofen. One time I dislocated my thumb during a football game in college and the doctor gave me an injection to make it numb. I was back in the game like nothing happened. My thumb was wrapped up, but it was still in a precarious position, so once that numbing wore off, I was in even more pain. I caused even more damaged by continuing to play as if nothing was wrong with my thumb. I would have played differently and protected my thumb differently if I could’ve felt the pain.
Sometimes it’s good to embrace the pain. Pain can often be a signal that something is not right, and it can help us to identify and address the underlying issue. In medicine, pain can be an important indicator of a patient’s condition, and it can help doctors to diagnose and treat the problem. In real life, pain can also help us to learn from our mistakes, make adjustments, and develop resilience. While pain can be difficult to endure, it can ultimately lead to personal growth and a better understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
We can’t always resort to drugs to get over the pain. Whether it’s over-the-counter drugs, prescription, or street drugs. Maybe you don’t use drugs to get over the pain and have some other type of vice, like food, sex, alcohol, anything. Those things may feel helpful in the moment, but when that numbness wears off, you might have done even more damage, and be in even more pain, like how my thumb was.
Embrace the pain. Feel it. Learn from it. Adjust, and grow.
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Breaking Free from Limitations
Sometimes we just gotta think bigger. There’s a lot more things that we can achieve in life if we simply believe we can actually achieve them. You can’t have those negative thoughts about yourself, such as: “ I’m not smart enough,” “I’m not good enough,” “ I’ll never be able to do that”. Self-limiting beliefs can prevent us from reaching our full potential and achieving our goals. It’s important to recognize and challenge these beliefs in order to grow and succeed.
Always give yourself the benefit of the doubt that you can do it. You can reach that big goal, you can move to a new city, you can lose weight, you can be consistent, you can get your degree, etc. Whatever it is, believe you can do it. Don’t limit yourself. Think bigger.
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Ageless Ambition
The question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” is often asked of children, but the idea of growing and evolving throughout our lives applies to adults as well. It’s never too late to pursue our passions or try something new.
We often ask kids that question with confidence and belief that one day they will indeed become whatever they want when they grow up. I think it’s ok to have that same confidence and belief in adults. It seem as if somewhere in life we stop caring what others want to be when they grow up. I think it’s good to still ask those that you care about what they want to be when they grow up.
Sometimes our dreams and aspirations may be limited to lack of growth and maturity. So as an adult, you still may have to “grow up” before you can be who you desire to be.
Continue to grow in life, and also continue to dream big, no matter your age. Continue to ask adults what they want to be when they grow up, and encourage them and inspire them, the say way you would if you asked a kid the same question.
FLY, BLACK BOY 