Create Your Own Success Story

This weekend we attended this big fancy gala, which gave me an excuse to get dressed up,

and celebrate my brother. Chandler is a senior in high school, and was awarded as a 

National Scholar Athlete from some big name football charity hoo-dad that I forget the name of.

But that's not important.

Not to brag on him (so sue me if I do... he deserves it) but my brother is a star

quarterback, is in the top 10% of his class, has a full ride to college next year, etc, etc.

(He put me to shame. Dang it)

My parents sent him to an inner city high school instead of the one that my sister and I went to,

and it completely changed my family forever. But that's a different story...

As he  stood on stage, I was so proud of him. It was a complete big sister moment.

On paper my brother looks great. He's accomplished a ton of things, and over 2,000 people 

Saturday night read about all of it. They saw him up there, and saw the surface of what he's accomplished.

But that's not why I was proud. I was proud because of all of the things that I've seen him

do to get there. I was proud because of the work that he's put into becoming a great 

quarterback since he was 6 years old. It didn't just happen over night, but it happened

because he put forth the effort. It happened even though there have been countless

moments of frustration, loss, disappointment, and times that he wondered if it would ever be worth it.

But through it all, he knew that he wanted to win more than he wanted to loose,

so he made it happen.


It reminded me of an email I just received from a sweet girl who is putting together a
SHINE event in a different state. Here's what part of it said,

" ...I never realized all of the hard work that goes into these projects. The anticipation, anxiety, work, effort... The nights laying awake wondering/thinking about who you need to call and if you're working hard enough. 

 I just want you to know if you are ever getting discouraged... You are a blessing....

Just from this last month I have learned a small piece of the dedication it takes to host an event. 

How you just want everyone to love and support your idea as much as your heart is telling you they should! 

You work hard lady! Take that to heart..."

I think that there's a misconception about success; that it's easy.

That there are people who are just more naturally talented, smart, lucky, and the list goes on.

And you see these people on stage, or in the spotlight, being recognized for what they're so great at.

But there's a whole part of the story that has been missed.

The whole success of it isn't in that moment of recognizable glory. No, that's not success at all.

Success is in the lonely moments, when the world is crumbling beneath you, and you start

to doubt everything that you have set out to accomplish. 

Success is when you find yourself in these pitiful moments, and you make the decision 

that you want to win more than you want to loose.

I don't believe that one person is more destined to succeed than another.

What will create your destiny, however, are the choices that you make to either bring you

closer to your goal, or pull you farther away.

Create your own success story.

You're just as good as that person up on stage.

The question is, are you willing to make it happen?