I’m sitting in Starbucks on a Sunday afternoon. I feel like I’m about to explode into confetti. lol. I remember sitting in my room and dreaming of what my life could be and who I could become. I was just a young kid with a dream and a lot of ambition. I knew there was more to me than the story I was given. I knew I could write and create a better story; my own story. It just took me some time to get my crayons back. I didn’t realize that I had given up my crayons for a story that was already written for me. It was a story written in pencil: Filled with dull moments, boring jobs, mediocrity, insecurity, regret, fear, ambiguity, poverty, ignorance, and meaninglessness. It’s the same kind of story many of us are given at a young age where we’re told what to think, how to think, and to eventually not think at all. It’s as if we were being put to sleep. It wasn’t until I began this journey of awakening possibility in myself that I was able to see. So I went on a mission to get my crayons back. Not only would I rewrite my story, I’d write a better one and I’d write it my way… with my crayons!
This was my story. Mine! And it was time for me to get to writing.
I had no idea that I would be able to write chapters of this new story so soon. In just a few short years, I’ve seen these chapters come to life in ways I can’t even begin to explain. I couldn’t list them all, but I can name a few:
- I graduated from college.
- I created a list of 100 life goals that I wanted to accomplish, and I started accomplishing them.
- I started a brand agency at the beginning of 2011 and named it 4th Park Studios. I had no idea that it would evolve into a real company in less than 2 years.
- I grew my company’s team from two to six people in less than a year.
- I started working with amazing people who I believe will help change the world.
- I set realistic financial goals and started reaching them.
- I received more job offers than ever before (all of which I turned down).
- I found a community of friends who ended up being better than what I could ever ask for. Shout out to my No Losing Family!
- I became a part of the MLK Jr. Family and was given the opportunity to design the website for Coretta Scott King’s biography book, “Desert Rose”.
- I started a workshop and named it The Playground. It’s growing into a collective community of young entrepreneurs and creatives.
- I got several opportunities to perform onstage infront of tens of thousands of people at conferences and events, all singing songs about God.
- I created my own work/life schedule where I can set my own work hours whenever I want.
- I started a web hosting company and named it Backpack Host. Now we’re hosting people’s websites.
- I helped several people brand and develop themselves, a business, or an idea.
- I experienced enormous growth in my faith, my love for God, Jesus and humanity.
- I helped start one of the coolest churches I’ve ever been a part of – Courageous Church.
- I became an investor.
As you can see, I took life on by the horns. I spent every waking moment learning, studying, reading, researching, beating my craft, praying, asking better questions, managing my money, improving my skills, creating new relationships, and creating the life I dreamed. Since then, life has become this challenge; this game of greatness. I really believe anything is possible. With a constant drive to learn and work, you can do so much in such a short amount of time. I no longer look at the TV screen or read books, wishing I could have the life that someone else has. I’m now living my own. And it feels good. Really good. I’m creating my own story. Writing my own book. Creating art on my own canvas. I no longer have time to compare to others anymore. My competition has become myself. Life has become a roadmap of possibility and I get to chart a new path; to go further than I’ve gone before. I can do it. I really can. It’s no longer a myth to me anymore. It’s no longer a far-off dream that I have to sit and fantasize about. It’s reality. My reality. Now.
As I’m sitting here typing, I desire so much to share this excitement, this energy, this joy, this adventure with others. I want them to experience it too. The freedom of creating a life that matters. The freedom of becoming the person you have always wanted to be. The freedom of setting your own rules, charting your own path, and making your own money. The freedom of adding value to everyone you meet just because you can. The freedom found in the message of Christ. The freedom of loving God and knowing that He actually loves you back. The freedom of living an awakened life. It’s this childlike freedom. This sense of bliss. Of serenity. Of zen. Of openness. Of possibility. It’s this freedom that no one can give you and no one can take away. Life becoming simple; easy. When your life has a sense of direction and purpose, things like fear and doubt tend to lose their power. Everything starts to make sense. You find yourself making different decisions, entertaining different thoughts, asking different questions, hanging around different people, wanting different things, going different places, and living a different life. Before you know it, all your dreams are coming true and your life becomes this flow… this unforced rhythm of grace.
Before this awakening, my life was typical: “Go to school, get a job, pray that you don’t get fired anytime soon, and enjoy your weekends.” Now my life has purpose. My life has become a movement: A movement to awaken possibility in the lives of others. To call people to their purpose. To invite people to greatness. To challenge people to live an epic life, an awakened life. It’s become my greatest ambition. To leave this mark on the world. To see a generation of sleepers awakened. To take back the world’s crayons. To create a better tomorrow by seizing what is possible today. To inspire a generation of pioneers to create their own maps and chart their own paths. To compel a generation of thinkers to bring their best ideas to the world. To influence a generation of creatives to bring their best art to the world. To agitate mediocrity. To persuade a generation to believe that the way you change the world is by first deciding to be the change you wish to see in the world.
And this world needs it. It needs you to wake up. It needs me to wake up. It needs us to get up and get on with this great work we get to contribute, this great art we get to create, this great story we get to tell, and this great love we get to share. And the world will be better because we did. The world will be glad I did. The world will be glad you did. You’ll be glad you did. And no one’s stopping us. It starts with me. It starts with you. One awakened life at a time. One awakened mind at a time. One awakened voice at a time. Does it seem impossible? Only if you think it is. Nothing is impossible. Impossible is nothing. Anything is possible. You are possible. So WAKE UP! GET UP! And let’s take on this adventure of life together.
March 24, 2013
Rent Jackson
Great Job Sir!!!!!!! I Could not be more proud of you and who you have become!!!!!!! You even inspire me #TrueStory --- Thank You!!!
It is my wish - that you continue on the path that you are on - You are well on your way!!!!!!
I Can Dig It!!!!!!!! Yes Sirrr!!!!!!
July 24, 2013
Kendall Lyons
HI:
I remember running into your site a few months ago and in the midst of my insane schedule I finally had a chance to revisit it again. Your work and your writing is awesome! It has encouraged me to not only work a little harder and push a little harder, but, also, to really consider my worth, measurement and standards across the board.
Keep doing what you're doing! It is making serious waves!