I Believe in I

There’s this feeling that overcomes anyone with something to say or share. It could be your music, writing, your work. Like clockwork, that annoying voice inside your head interrupts your day, asking you all kinds of irrelevant and annoying questions:

Are you sure? What if you post and no one cares? Aren’t you afraid of what people will think? Who do you think you are? You are not an expert on this subject? Why bother? Many other people are doing the same thing.

This voice slowly breeds paralysis, and each time you do something, you start to question whether you are good enough. It trickles down to your job, relationships, and family, and it becomes this cycle of self-doubt. You know you want to do something so badly. You can feel it, taste it, take a whiff of it, almost reach out to touch it. Alas, somehow, there seems to be a gatekeeper that prevents you from living. Standing on the other side, you feel imprisoned by this phase you are experiencing. Then you surrender to doubt, you say—one day! We both know it's decades from now, maybe when you’re retired or have enough money in your bank account to finally do whatever you initially desired.

There are two things about life that are guaranteed. One is change and the other is uncertainty. Change happens whether we like it or not. It could be good, and at times, we may perceive it as bad. Uncertainty, on the other hand, happens to the best of us when embarking on new journeys or embracing change.

Are you one of those people that waits for something to happen in order to change? Are you an early adopter that see things going south and makes a conscious decision to make things happen in your life? It is tragic, if anything, that many people have yet to share their brilliant ideas or selves due to fear, judgment and trauma. Our thoughts are triggered daily by tragic stories, words, circumstances, friends, partners and family members.

Cancellation culture is a new addition. It's a witch hunt that has scared the daylights out of some of us. We feel we cannot share without the fear of being considered a persona non grata. The culture of "agree to disagree" flew out the window somewhere, and one must scuffle to pick sides. Life already puts obstacles in our way without having that mental obstacle where we lie to ourselves everyday. The topic du jour is how inadequate we are.

The funny thing is—there are people out there that see our brilliance, that need your art, your message, your knowledge and your presence. You are one of one. You may share a message that has been shared before, but the difference is it comes from your perspective. Your voice. The more you let fear hold you back, the more you essentially leave a gap, and it’s a disservice to those that need to hear you.

It is time to look yourself in the mirror and say, “I believe in I.”