Nothing worth having in life is easy. If you were given it or it was handed to you, it did you honestly truly cherish it? And did you truly love it? Or value it?

Everything I have ever truly cherished did not come easily. I didn’t achieve anything I was proud of or worthwhile without real hard work, grit, or, honestly, a true stubbornness to keep going no matter what. I will admit that I am truly stubborn.

If we will admit it to ourselves, it’s actually the journey itself that shapes us, molding our character and sharpening our resolve.

When we feel like we want to give up, that’s exactly the moment when we need to dig deeper and push harder. Those moments when all seems overwhelming, like we cannot breathe, like it would be easier to just quit and walk away. Those, those are the moments, when we just cannot quit.

It's in those moments of exhaustion or frustration that the breakthroughs occur. We learn. We grow. We breathe. We discover. We find ourselves. We see something new. And we for maybe the first time or maybe for once, just learn to rely on ourselves and trust our gut, our intuition, or our God more than anything and anyone else.

The finish line may seem distant, but it is often closer than we think. Because in reality, it’s just waiting for us.

Just when we believe we can't take another step, we realize how far we've come and how close we are to realizing our vision.

It seems counterintuitive, but the closer we get to our goals, the more difficult the path becomes. The challenges intensify, not because we are failing, but because we are growing. That final stretch can be the toughest, filled with moments of doubt or fear of failing.

Fear can be our biggest enemy. It is all-consuming and paralyzing. Doesn’t it sometimes just stop us in our tracks?

Yet, precisely this struggle and that moment signals we are on the right track. Growth comes through that moment and that adversity. Every step forward, no matter how small, is progress toward something great.

So, my friends, what is stopping you from embracing the difficulty before you today? What fear stands in your path?

Push through.

Trust the process.

Your perseverance will lead to victory.

And when you reach the other side, you’ll see that every challenge you faced was worth it.

The satisfaction of knowing you didn’t give up, that you gave everything you had, will be your greatest reward.

And don’t be afraid to lean on the people who believe in you and lift you when the weight of the journey feels heavy. They remind you of your strength and keep you moving forward. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

Together, we are always stronger.