You Are the Trailblazer

In this era of social media, we are watchers. We observe the people we follow: we watch their moves, remember their struggles, and celebrate their breakthroughs. We file away their failings and pile them up in our judgment folders. We keep another file of their victories and successes and label them for quick retrieval. When we face our own obstacles, we pull from these files to give us hope that we can overcome and find success, too.

Do you realize others are watching you, too?

You put your heart on the line. You took a big step to pursue your dreams—and you made it public. You are the brave one, the selfless lover willing to fail out in the open and be an example. You allow others to see your progress and how you navigate disappointments and surprises. Thank God for you! You have laid your life down for others.

Where would we be without authenticity like yours? We see your tears, your bloody cheeks, and your worn fingers with blisters. We see your heart and desires open to the world, raw and vulnerable. Sometimes, the breakthroughs, the successes, and the wins take time to come; you stand there naked before all, feeling foolish at times, wondering if your day of victory will ever arrive. Will you ever cross the finish line? Will you ever achieve what you set out to do? Everyone is watching: Your parents are watching. Your haters are judging you and hoping you fail. Your friends pity you at times and hope you will just quietly give up.

All hold their breath and just watch. What will come next?

But you won't give up! No way! Not now. Not at this point. You have gone too far and have hit that point of no return.

There is no choice but to continue and push through and try again.

You took that step already. You made a public claim of your dream. You already declared it in heaven. It is done. Now, it is time to apprehend it.

Your watchers will just keep watching.

They will watch you persevere. They will watch you trudge forward. They will secretly admire your courage and resilience. They will begin to regret their own decisions to quit. They will begin to wonder if they should start again. They watch you gain some ground, see some momentum and small wins. They brace themselves for the inevitable fall, collapse, and despair that is coming. They keep watching, holding their breath to see what comes next.

It's your first time having a one-person art show in your first good gallery that represents you. It's opening night, and you wonder: Will anyone come? Will you be too nervous to talk to anyone? Will you actually sell anything? What will you post about it? Should you cancel the planned LIVE to share the experience with your audience?

Your heart is scared to hope big. You don't think you can bear one more disappointment.

The crowds begin to come in. The gallery becomes full, and everyone is waiting to talk with you. You look around and wonder how your life has come to this moment. Everyone is enthralled with your work. They are caught up in the wonder and beauty. You see the gallery director busy at her desk. The salespeople are each with clients. You watch papers and envelopes switching hands. One of the salespeople winks and says, "It's going well." You find out that you have nearly sold all your work, and commissions have been ordered.

This is the moment you realize no failure will ever, ever, ever take you out. You beat it. For the rest of your life, you will never again wonder if you can succeed. You know this is not luck or a fluke. This is the payoff of hard work, perseverance, and passion — the reward after so many failures and attempts. You know you can now have predictable success. You were the one who made the choice to stick it out and not give up.

Now, your watchers are in awe!

You are their hero and inspiration.

They are dusting off their dreams and putting newfound passion into their work. You have become their trailblazer, and they will be your superfans and greatest advocates.

Now you are unstoppable!