I know you’re reading this. And I want you to know I’m writing this for you. Others will be confused. They will think I’m writing this for them. But I’m not.
This one’s for you.
I want you to know that life is not easy. Every day is an unpredictable challenge. Some days it can be difficult to simply get out of bed in the morning. To face reality and put on that smile. But I want you to know, your smile has kept me going on more days than I can count. Never forget that, even through the toughest times, you are incredible. You really are.
So smile more often. You have so many reasons to. Time and again, my reason is you.
You won’t always be perfect. Neither will I. Because nobody is perfect, and nobody deserves to be perfect. Nobody has it easy, everybody has issues. You will never know exactly what I’m going through. And I will never know exactly what you’re going through. We are all fighting our own unique war.
But we are fighting through it simultaneously, together.
Whenever somebody discredits you, and tells you that you can’t do something, keep in mind that they are speaking from within the boundaries of their own limitations. Ignore them. Don’t give in. In this crazy world that’s trying to make you like everyone else, find the courage to keep being your awesome self. And when they laugh at you for being different, laugh back at them for being the same.
Remember, our courage doesn’t always roar aloud. Sometimes it’s the quiet voice at the end of the day whispering, “I will try again tomorrow.” So stand strong. Things turn out best for people who make the best out of the way things turn out.
And I am committed to making the best of it along with you.
Photo by: Meredith Farmer
Caz Makepeace says
I love this. I especially love how you say don’t let others define what you can do with your life. They will always set what you can achieve lower than what you can. This is something I promote quite a lot.
Grace says
Thank you.
Andrew Johnson says
Thanks for the reminder that we are all awesome in our own way, and have so much to be grateful for. It’s so easy to forget in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, especially when things are particularly tough.
Anuradha says
Hello,
This article is awesome. Thank you. I wish I could share this article for people whom I care, by email. Can you add that feature to the blog posts? Just a suggestion.
Karmen says
I regularly check your blog because sometimes it makes me laugh, think, and wonder. But tonight as I was reading this entry, it made me cry. I cried because even though I dont know whose writing it, what you look like or sound like, I could hear the voice. This voice spoke to me, and cried with me as i read this. It made me stronger and made me not feel this empty lonely feeling I feel every night before I go to sleep. So thank you for being there whoever you are.
AuntieSkinny says
Beautiful words and so sincere and real.
Katybeth says
I think you were writing this for me. I woke up feeling pretty sad..I lost the world’s best husband and my 15 year old son lost the worlds best dad very suddenly–June of 2009–July 4th was “our holiday.” I was hoping for more bravo after two years…but then I read “courage doesn’t always roar…” and I realized I could summon up a little courage, make a cup of coffee and make the best of a great day.
Saif says
Posts like these make me come to your website and comment on them.
This was just beautiful. Keep posts like these coming..
D says
Thanks for giving me courage.
I live in Greece and the economic problems I have lately, make me wake up with tears.
Reading what you write I get power. Thanks.
*Sorry that I do not speak the language well
Roni says
This touched me in my core. I will be placing this somewhere I can read everyday as needed. Thank you!
Cindy says
Such moving words. My soul is touched. Many thanks.
Petra says
Thank you. I think I needed this.
Renee Greyling says
Thankyou – needed to hear this today!
Emily says
I needed to read this today. Thank you.
Della says
The opening paragraph made me smile 🙂 Do not be surprised if someone tells you that this post held them from cutting themselves. For me, it was a relief to know that I’m not alone.
Your posts always inspire me. Keep on writing because you don’t know how many lives you might change.
P.S. I’m only 16 and I only comment when a post has touched me. Believe it or not, you have.
Ereline says
This is beautiful! Thank so much for reminding us that we each, in our own way, are lovely and a gift from God.
What a beautiful love letter!
Débora says
This was perfect! I’m going to share it on my blog!
Really amazing 🙂
marc van der Linden says
What is your secret for writing posts straight from the heart?
If it was the idea to express unconditional love with a post, than from my perspective you have succeeded.
Thanks for sharing!
Lisa says
Thank you! I needed this today! It has renewed my strength and desire to keep working towards a dream of mine to go back to school and change careers and work in the medical field in order to help others.
Tammy H. says
Thanks for sharing. This is a great post. Came upon the site through Stumble.
love the insight.
Enjoy your holiday,
InspiringAlways says
I shared this with my colleagues at work and have received positive feedback. Thank you for your positivity.
Allison C says
Thank you, simply thank you.
Josephine says
My cup of green tea after a tough night. Thank you for offering us this! It is indeed always good to have someone remind us that we are indeed great and strong and we should not allow anyone else hurt us.
Lucia says
I’ve heard a couple times before that my happiness and overly joyfull self esteem was contagious, but I haven’t heard since last year when i moved to Argentina to study leaving my family and my friends! I know i’m getting stronger everyday but it’s hard, thank you for this entry!
Saurabh Banerjee says
Love all your post. This one is awesome…. I completely agree with you how friends discourage us for our goals since they are encompassed in their own boundary.
Galen Pearl says
You had me with the opening paragraph. How could I not be intrigued by that?! Great post. What a wonderful take on being human.
Mo says
This is the first article I read on this blog….I’m hooked up already.
Many thanks for sharing.
sproblez says
Simply Awesome.
All Bloggers take note: posts like this is what earns subscribers.
Long time subscriber – First time commenting.
Mary says
This made me cry. In a good way.
Thank you for reminding me.
Nick says
Simply beautiful. It’s so important for people to realize that they’re not alone in this world and we all face the same struggles together. That even when we feel most divided, we’re really not.
Got to keep your head up and face the challenges and naysayers head-on. Determination is the key to success.
Marc says
In addition to the comments left here, I received numerous emails (and even a text message) from friends near and far, thanking me for this short post.
You’re welcome. Thank you all for being an ongoing inspiration to me.
Andrea says
Marc
Thank you for this inspiring post. Really excellent! I particularly connected with the part about how people tell you that you can’t do something because they are speaking for themselves. I have never thought it that way.
Andrea
How to be Happy
Adam says
These posts remind me of those cute little mini mushroom power ups you can get in Mario Kart. A nice little boost of succinct inspiration, powerfully packaged in a way that could get someone by for the next few hours of the day.
Nice to know we all drink from the same cup.
-Adam
Luís Cardoso says
Thank you for that talent of yours.
Thank you for inspiring people.
You, sir, are amazing, and you should be proud of yourself for this article. You change lives with your writing… you surely have changed mine.
Adam 2 says
Really fantastic post! You made my day, and I already posted to my facebook wall.
I like: “And when they laugh at you for being different, laugh back at them for being the same.”
And: “…In this crazy world that’s trying to make you like everyone else”. It couldn’t be more of the truth in particular in a country like Japan.
Phile says
“we are all fighting our own unique war. In this crazy world that’s traying to make you like everyone else, find the courage to keep being your awesome self.”
Thank you Marc for being of that much help to me. The post has helped me get through the uphill battle of the day and keep my dreams alive. You give me the courage to follow my heart and not other people’s opinions.
Raudha Ismail says
Can’t stop reading this. Too beautiful.
mo gafoor says
Wonderful insight! The energy coming from you & the energy coming from me… merging 🙂
joe g says
Wow! I read this at just the right moment. Thanks.
Enriching Life says
Oh Gosh, what a beautiful post! Very touching. Thank you for sharing it with us.
farouk says
That’s so true, Marc.
Its important for us to understand such facts if we want to face life’s challenges. Well said.
Donna says
Very uplifting!
Rayton says
Thanks so much for this blog entry. Reading it I actually felt like it was dedicated for me. I’ve been following your blog for a lot of time and it’s always great, but this one kept my attention especially.
Keep on doing it!
Hunnuh says
I wish that was written for me…
Nealy says
I read this at just the right time. I was being criticized for something that doesn’t make sense to me. Just when I was feeling the worst, I read this. Thank you for putting this up. It made me remember to smile and to not care about what those people think because I am me. Thanks again.
Paulo Peres says
This touched my heart. Thanks for these kind words.
Veronica says
Touching & inspirational, I love this site & read everything I find here. Helps me in ways I can’t put into words, so thank-you!
Chris says
This is my first visit to your website, and I’m so glad I found it. I really needed to read this.
Thank you.
mesh says
Really wonderful! Superbly written! Thank you.
Johannes says
Only 1 word for you: “Wonderful!”