There's often a vast distinction between what we think is holding us back and what is actually holding us back.

And that may even be putting it lightly.

Most of the time we're just plain misinformed.

Most of the time, we're looking externally at irrelevant discrepancies between ourselves

and someone else.

We're looking at things that happened yesterday, possible outcomes that may happen tomorrow.

We're creating entire stories, crafting narratives, building hostile worlds that simply don't exist.

When what we need is simple.

To give ourselves permission. to let ourselves walk out that front door and towards what we long for.

And this came to light recently. I shared a simple 20-second message on TikTok where basically I highlighted

John Green's quote about the best things in life occurring after we find the courage to depart

or leave where we are, right, to build again. And as I was looking at the response, it was both beautiful and eye-opening.

Hundreds and hundreds of comments from people saying that the message helped them feel empowered

to do what they've been putting off.

And some called it fate.

Some called it what they needed to hear at the exact moment. They needed to hear it.

And as I'm going through, I keep thinking the same thing over and over and over every single one of

these people. They already knew in their hearts what needed to come next.

They knew what would make them feel alive.

They knew where the compass was pointing.

Yet their default led them to the same place we've all been,

waiting for external permission, waiting for life to give us a reason to say, okay.

...