What if you had the chance to be something you'd always wanted to be? Would you take the opportunity to do something you always knew you'd be able to do? Or would you just let the opportunity pass you like the rest of life seems to be doing? What if I told you, you could be anything that you wanted to be? What if I told you all you had to do was, have faith in yourself? Well, that is all you have to do. Even if you have nothing right now, or you feel as though you have nothing right now. I would like you to imagine if you will. A black book, where you write down all of the characteristics you'd like yourself to have, and every day put aside an allotted amount of time. To embody those characteristics, it doesn't have to be in front of people.
Just do it in front of the mirror if that's where you are most comfortable. You see, in life, we often suffer from this thing called conditioning, and the guise it takes on varies from individual to individual. It isn't up to anyone else to change the way you think; people may give you ideas or prompt you to make changes. But until you complete and are steadfast in the conscious decision to change your mindset, you will be a victim of this conditioning. Conditioning is not contingent on conscious acknowledgment because you see it begins when you are born.
The only narrative that matters in life is your own. Stop allowing the story of another to lead the life that only you get to live. You'll miss out on creating a life worth remembering. Who you are, is not who you are perceived to be. You spend it trying to find happiness as opposed to finding contentment. You spend it wishing things were different; instead of expecting things to change, you could make the change for yourself.
In life, if you want something, you need to find a way to acquire it. I promise you the only thing stopping you is your mindset. I know; I've lived that very life I am talking about abstaining from for 26 years. I gave credence to the perceptions of others, despite knowing better. I willingly suffered at the hands of people who knew better—knowing better myself. I suppose the reality I created in my mind was never conducive to whom I wanted to be. In comparison, we are an amalgamation of our thoughts and experiences until realizing that same sentiment. It is again only ever up to us to take accountability for our actions or lack thereof.
I realize it is easier to go with the flow, but why would we go with the flow when the flow isn't representative of living the life we want to live? Why would we live life in a state of unfounded misery when we could take accountability for ourselves. Stop pretending like someone else's happiness is more important than your own. It's not; it has never been. Live your life for yourself first and foremost; afterward, shift your focus outward. It is infinitely more comfortable to live for another. You are more likely to experience actual growth as a person and go much farther than you had ever thought possible if you live for just you. It doesn't have to be forever, just long enough to figure out whom you want to be.
I came into $20,000 by believing in myself wholeheartedly, considering it is an aspect that I never thought existed. I believe this is the case for everyone; we all have pieces of ourselves we shelter from the outside world, but shouldn't we embrace those pieces of ourselves?
About the Creator
I Am
I like to think of myself as a living example of what lies beneath the surface of all of us. In full outward expression.
Keep reading
More stories from I Am and writers in Motivation and other communities.
Memoirs of an INFJ
My name is Nickolas Lewis. I am someone who struggled to find his sense of identity for as long as he can remember. I have felt the emotions of others; I have even donned their emotions unknowingly. As someone who wishes to see the world become a better place, I am removing all of the obstacles that I have created to show you that life doesn’t have to be as complicated as we make it out to be.
By I Am5 years ago in Motivation
“He Kept Going When No One Was Watching — And That Changed Everything”
No one ever noticed the days he almost gave up. There were no messages asking if he was okay. No one wondered why he became quieter. No one asked how much effort it took just to keep going. To the world, he was just another ordinary man. His name was Ayaan. Ayaan’s life didn’t collapse in one dramatic moment. It slowly faded. Missed opportunities. Rejected ideas. Silent disappointments. Every failure was small, but together they became heavy. He had dreams once. Big ones. Dreams that kept him awake at night, imagining a future where his hard work would finally matter. But over time, those dreams began to feel unrealistic—almost embarrassing. People around him seemed to move forward effortlessly. They celebrated promotions, achievements, and milestones. Ayaan watched from the side, smiling politely while feeling invisible. At work, his efforts were ignored. Among friends, his voice faded. At home, expectations weighed heavily on him. Slowly, a dangerous thought settled into his mind: “Maybe I’m not good enough.” That thought followed him everywhere. It followed him on crowded buses. It followed him into sleepless nights. It followed him every time he tried again and failed. One night, after scrolling through endless success stories online, Ayaan closed his phone and stared at the dark ceiling. His chest felt tight, not because of pain—but because of exhaustion. He whispered quietly, “How long do I keep trying?” There was no answer. But that night, Ayaan made a decision—not a loud one, not a confident one. A tired decision. He decided to keep going, even if nothing changed. The next morning felt the same. The same routine. The same doubts. The same fear of wasting his life. But Ayaan showed up anyway. He worked when no one praised him. He studied when no one guided him. He practiced when no one believed in him. Some days, motivation disappeared completely. On those days, discipline took over. He reminded himself: “I don’t need applause. I need progress.” Weeks passed. Nothing dramatic happened. No sudden success. No recognition. No miracle. But something subtle began to shift. Ayaan became calmer under pressure. He learned to sit with discomfort instead of running from it. He stopped comparing his journey to others. The silence that once scared him now became his training ground. Months later, a serious problem appeared at his workplace. It was complicated, risky, and easy to blame on someone else. Most people avoided it. Some pretended it wasn’t their responsibility. Ayaan didn’t announce himself. He didn’t seek attention. He simply started working. Late nights. Mistakes. Corrections. Learning. There were moments he wanted to quit. Moments when fear whispered, “You’re not ready.” But he answered back, “I’ll learn.” Slowly, the problem began to disappear. Not perfectly—but steadily. People noticed, quietly. One afternoon, his manager called him into the office. Ayaan expected criticism. Instead, he heard a question that stunned him: “Where did you learn all this?” Ayaan paused. How could he explain years of silent effort? How could he explain working when no one cared? He simply replied, “I kept going.” That moment didn’t change his life overnight. He didn’t become famous. He didn’t suddenly become successful. But it changed something far more important. His belief in himself. For the first time, Ayaan understood that life doesn’t always reward effort immediately. Sometimes, it watches. It watches who continues without praise. Who improves without recognition. Who grows in silence. Years later, Ayaan looked back at the version of himself who almost quit. The man who felt invisible. The man who thought no one was watching. And he smiled. Because he finally understood the truth: Life was always watching. Not to judge. Not to rush. But to see if he would keep going when it was hardest. The world doesn’t reward those who only work when they’re seen. It rewards those who build strength in silence. And sometimes, the moment that changes everything doesn’t come with applause. It comes quietly. After patience. After effort. After consistency. That is when everything finally begins to change. Final Message Keep going—even when no one is watching. Especially then.
By Inayat khan5 days ago in Motivation
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.