Often times when you’re poised on the verge of breakthrough, there’s a loud voice of doubt that tries to drown out the hopes of your dreams. Doubt weighs you down, smothers you, makes you question if you can really achieve that for which you strive. Whenever you hear that voice of doubt, stay strong and shout “YES I CAN!”

You can do whatever you choose to accomplish. I read somewhere that our dreams are limited only by the scope of our imagination and the truth of those words struck me. After all, how can you do something if you can’t envision it? How can you reach the pinnacle if you can’t imagine it? I believe I’ve said before that fear is only natural because we’re human; with that in mind, fear and doubt are interchangeable forces that try to rob you of precious blessings.

Don’t listen to them. Have faith in yourself. Have faith in your talent, your gifts, your ambition, and your heart. Have faith to silence the voice of doubt. Have faith to calm the fear. Have faith to stand up and work towards your vision. Have faith to follow your dreams and live them every day. And when it seems like you can’t go on anymore, when you feel like you’ve used up every ounce of ability and endurance, have the faith to tap into the infinite well of strength slumbering within you. Believe that you can move forward.

I speak these words to myself even as I speak them to you. I have struggled with self-esteem and self-confidence. I have felt I didn’t matter and I wasn’t loved. Personal trials have made me doubt beauty, truth, love, even the existence of God. I’m here to tell you that those same trials are now opening my eyes to things I would never have imagined otherwise. I’m here to tell you that there are times you need to bleed before you can shine; times you must go through fire so it purifies you, times you must find yourself so far down there’s no other place to go but up. Sometimes you need to change direction in order to take the right path and it might require drastic measures to make the right changes happen.

Dare to think without boundaries. Dare to seek your truth and shine with the brightness itching to burst forth from within you. Learn from every tear. Bounce back from every setback. Cultivate a positive outlook that turns every obstacle into a stepping stone. Life is a journey with twists and turns and you must adapt to thrive in every situation.

When I say thrive, I don’t mean to simply do well within certain confines. I mean to flourish beyond your expectations, to let your spirit bloom and grow in leaps and bounds. I mean to choose to excel and refuse to settle for anything less. I mean to avoid mediocrity like the plague and have no time for negativity. I mean to build resources that cheer you up when you’re sad and light your path when you’re surrounded by darkness. You are what you accept, so why accept anything but the best and most fulfilled version of yourself? Everything you need is already within you; you just need to discover it. There’s so much swirling beneath the surface. Take the time to tap into your creativity and inspiration is sure to follow.

Dare yourself today. Have faith. Shalom.