The Load May Not Get Lighter, But You Will Get Stronger

This week, someone DM’d me, sharing their nervousness about an experience I’ve already gone through. They expressed feeling overwhelmed but noted they were confident I would be fine and that they would struggle.

I laughed and replied:

“You’ll be fine, I promise. It’s like lifting weights. It doesn’t get lighter; you just get stronger. You’ll find your rhythm, but feel free to reach out if you need help.”

In my reply to them, I finally articulated something I had been feeling for quite some time but couldn’t express. The harsh truth is that the load may never get lighter.

A Lesson from the Entertainment Industry

You know I’m a documentary buff and love looking at greatness through other people’s eyes. Since I was a little girl, I’ve enjoyed music and sports documentaries. I loved watching MTV’s Diary, E! True Hollywood Story, VH1’s Behind the Music – all of it. Since its launch nearly two decades ago, YouTube has become my go-to for binging behind-the-scenes content of my favorite performers.

Whether it was Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, or Aaliyah, I can’t recall anyone saying, “Oh, performing is SO easy now!” or “I never get nervous performing anymore!” As a matter of fact, they were always working to one-up themselves.

More May Be Required

The point of all this is to remind you that whenever you’re on the cusp of your own greatness, more will be required of you. And when I say “more” is required, I don’t mean “do more stuff” or even that you have to do everything alone. I mean, think more critically, use more wis dom, exert more discipline, and evolve into the person you’ve been called to be. A season of “more” also means figuring out what more peace, more help, and more rest look like for you.

We all undergo a refining process, and contrary to what many may think, no one is exempt. This includes me and you. So I challenge you to expect that more will be required. But it’s not a sign for you to shrink and ruminate on the potentially negative possibilities. Nah, we ain’t goin’ out like that.

Stay Focused

Rather than focusing on the load you must carry, realize how much stronger you’ve become to handle the weight. One way you’ll know how much you’ve grown as a person is if your strength is tested. You’re built for the greatness you desire. However you see your greatness in your head and feel it in your heart – it can happen just like that. I’m living proof. Believe that and realize how incredibly powerful you truly are.

Take it one day at a time. You’ve got this.