Give them a full show!

Dr. Jaiya John once said, "The world has never seen you before. Don’t hold back. Give them the full show!" Our lives are seen as trailers, omitting the most beautiful or depicting the most grotesque parts of it all.

 We tend to measure ourselves by the accomplishments of others. I have come to realize that the best scene is rarely captured -- behind the scene. No one gets to see the hard work you put in. I am a firm believer that life is meant not to be lived like an audition (seeking the approval of others or to be in competition with others) but rather, producing and directing our own authentic story. When this is understood, we give ourselves the full authority to edit and cut out scenes that never define us. We often forget that this is our set, our story, and our show. We have full permission to redirect, reinvent, and reintroduce ourselves at any given point. 

Many of us have been holding back, holding back from applying to that job or sharing our accomplishments, talents, visions, and untapped potential because we may have lost a sense of self; the truth is some of us are still auditioning. We are never ready for a plot twist; it appears in many forms; a stolen idea, a rejection letter, a written warning from your boss, your business failing, or even a pandemic. 

For the last couple of days, months, or years, you have been working hard to remain resilient in the face of adversity. Behind the scenes, you are clocking in before sunrise and clocking out after sunset. You are struggling to declutter a toxic work, home, or classroom environment trying to navigate an emotionally draining customer, supervisor, group member, or even a family member. Only to be told that it is not good enough. This can lead us to experience extreme burnout, unhappiness, and lack of productivity.

I know you never saw that plot twist coming, so now you have been waiting, holding up for a shock of assurance to strike you from the heavens before taking that leap again. Over the years, I have heard, what is yours is already making its way to you. What was never yours is starting to flee. We all go through days where we doubt our strength and ability to overcome anything, but we always prove ourselves wrong. We pull through, we get through it, we do well. I want you to know that your "behind the scene is everything!" You have dusted off your shoulders, wipe your tears, and still manage to develop a growth mindset. Do you know how powerful you are? You are forced to be reckoned with, have always been. Today I acknowledge and commend your strength, perseverance, and your GRIT!

Today is the day to draw your curtains back and give them a front-row seat to see who you are, yes a full show, don't hold back! I am eager to see you twist this plot, you've got this!

-Malik Augustus Richard