Chapter 1: The Journey of Self-Discovery

In the past, I often found myself giving up on various pursuits. It wasn't due to laziness; rather, I struggled with self-doubt. I distinctly remember a moment in a car with my ex-husband, contemplating how life simply unfolds without our influence. This mindset dominated my thoughts for a while.

The pivotal moment came during a Tae Kwon Do class I attended with my eldest son, who was just eight years old at the time, while I was around 27. I felt out of place and fell behind my younger classmates, often stopping midway through exercises. The instructor never commented on my struggles, which only added to my feelings of inadequacy.

However, during one of my final sessions, everything changed. As we reached the end of our workout, we began our daily sit-ups. Exhaustion was setting in when the instructor introduced a challenging twist. He instructed us to stop halfway through a sit-up and maintain that position. It was an uncomfortable stance that became increasingly difficult to hold.

He didn't urge us to continue; he simply refrained from allowing us to stop. The strain intensified, moving beyond discomfort into real pain. Yet, something within me shifted that day. I resolved to persevere, refusing to surrender to the urge to lay back down. Somehow, I managed to keep pushing through.

What felt like ten minutes was probably only two or three, but I didn't give up until the instructor finally allowed us to rest. It was my first encounter with true self-determination—a realization that I had agency over my life and circumstances.

When I set my mind to something, I commit to it. Even when fatigue sets in, I push forward. If I'm determined to achieve my goals, I take action to make them a reality. While I do experience setbacks and moments of weakness—after all, I'm human—each failure strengthens my resolve for the next challenge.

As I write this, I'm feeling tired and know I have work soon. Yet, I felt compelled to share this story before taking a nap. Allowing myself to procrastinate would mean letting important tasks slip away.

Initially, I struggled with writer's block despite having numerous drafts waiting. Then, the memory of those sit-ups struck me as a fitting story to tell right now. Perhaps someone out there needs to hear this message today.

Maybe it's you.

More stories by Big Dreams:

• Sometimes When You Express Your Feelings, People Get Mad at You | by Bigdreamsstudios | Medium
• Stay Stoic - The Life You Want Will Come IF You Keep WORKING Your Ass Off | by Bigdreamsstudios | Oct, 2023 | Medium
• Making Coloring Pages for My Etsy Store | by Bigdreamsstudios | Sep, 2023 | Medium

Section 1.1: Finding Strength in Adversity

Reflecting on my past experiences, I've learned that challenges often reveal our inner strength. The act of pushing through discomfort can lead to significant personal growth.

Subsection 1.1.1: Embracing the Journey

Chapter 2: Inspirational Messages

This first video, Michael Franti & Spearhead - Brighter Day, emphasizes the importance of maintaining hope and positivity even in challenging times.

The second video, Michael Franti: Hey World (Don't Give Up), serves as a powerful reminder to persevere and stay committed to our dreams, no matter the obstacles we face.