Things can get really dark!!!

We've all been there: the feeling of being stuck, unable to move forward.

Have you ever felt like your heart is beating so fast that it's going to burst out of your chest?

Have you ever felt like all of the progress you've made in life is being erased in a blink?

Have you ever wondered if it's even worth it to keep trying?

If this sounds familiar, know that you are not alone. We have all been there at some point or another. And yet, here we stand—still trying, still fighting for what we want. Why? Because we know that the only thing standing between us and our dreams is failure. But failing doesn't mean giving up—it means taking a step back and reevaluating what needs to change in order for us to succeed next time!

While I'm sure things are going well, it's also easy to get bogged down by the day-to-day obstacles that life presents. These days, it seems like we're constantly bombarded with news about the state of the economy, or worried about our health, or wondering if we'll be able to afford our next vacation. And then there are all those other little things—the endless emails, the traffic jams, the family drama… Sometimes it feels like there's just too much to handle!

I know it's not always easy to keep things in perspective when you're going through a rough time. Things can get really dark, and it can be hard to remember what's important—especially when life itself seems like an obstacle.

But I wanted to remind you that not every obstacle is a wall. Sometimes, it's just a speed bump on the road toward your goals. If you look at obstacles as challenges instead of roadblocks, you'll find yourself better able to stand up to them and move forward with your life.

I know that sometimes life can be hard. We've all been there. Sometimes it's a little thing, and sometimes it's a huge thing—but either way, I want you to know that I’m here for you if you need someone to talk to or give you a little motivation!

I know that when things get tough, it can feel like the world is against you. But the truth is that nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, sometimes the biggest lesson of all is learning how much love and support are out there for each and every one of us.

Here are some challenges I've all faced in the last 3 years since graduating:

• 2020 Covid closed my college down and I had to finish my senior year at home.
• 2020 I got my first job after college and was a locksmith (still didn’t have a car).
• 2021 My family had to deal with the loss of two loving members within a month of each other.
• 2021 I Started my own business with $2k to my name and most of it went towards work stuff (Finally had a car by then).
• 2022 I got my first apartment and struggled to pay rent the entire year (Almost lost it all).
• 2022 I lost my older brother to gun violence.

Throughout all of my challenges, I felt like the world was against me. The last 3 years have given me tough challenges, but I’ve accomplished so much and it gave me so much to look forward to. With the loss of my family members I learned to value the time you spend with others. My business taught me to manage my finances and always learn more because you can never know too much about running your business. It is hard to see the light when things are dark, but I believe that keeping a positive mindset or just noticing your accomplishments will change your perspective on the bad things in life.

With all of my challenges came a lesson, and each lesson helped me prepare for my next move. The truth is, when things seem really dark there will always be something small or big in your life that brings light or happiness. Life will be full of obstacles, are you going to be the one who hops over obstacles?

Let's take a moment today and remember: no matter what challenges come our way, we've got this!

This is Kortay Powell, Live from the 6