dOUBT.

Let's discuss a topic that has become central in many people's lives: "Doubt."

When we set out to achieve something special, there are always barriers to entry. Whether it be our own demons or fears that prohibit us from building the life we want for ourselves, friends who doubt our abilities or fear that we may achieve our goals and leave them behind, parents or loved ones who fear for our well-being or safety, or financial constraints that seem almost insurmountable.

Remember, we've been given these dreams and goals for a reason. Though seldom discussed publicly in this age, God has helped craft the success stories of millions. Yet, so many also fail to live up to expectations due to doubt.

Questions like "When is the right time?", "What if I'm not good enough?", "What if they don't like me or what I have to offer?", and "What if I fail?" have all crossed our minds at one time or another. I wish I could say that I never listened to those thoughts and kept my dream alive, but unfortunately, that would be a lie.

Numerous, incalculable times, I have fallen victim to or failed to overcome my doubt, and I believe many of you have also experienced this same debilitating experience.

The truth is, one morning, I woke up and thought about how much I feared becoming less than God created me to be, more than I feared my own doubts and failures, or judgment or reprisal from others. I thought to myself, "This can't possibly be all that there is for me. I have dreams and goals, and my fear is doing nothing more than burdening me with doubt, to the point where I refuse to be who I am."

My mother used to tell me, "Serg, you're meant for great things, and the only thing standing in your way is you." At the time, I hated hearing that because I couldn't justify how I was the only obstacle in my way to success. But, I realized after she was gone, that she was right. I had become my own worst enemy, less than I was meant to be, and that was something I had allowed myself to become out of the deepest depths of fear.

I want you to know that all of us, anyone reading this, should know that you can do it! You can dream big and even more so, you can achieve it.

The first step is to stop doubting yourself. You can't be the biggest obstacle in your own way and expect to be who you're meant to be.

Let go of your doubts and take a leap! I'll end with a great little paraphrased parable given by Steve Harvey during an interview I saw on YouTube once:

"A flea can jump 50 feet in the air, it can jump over nearly anything, but if you put that same flea in a jar and keep it contained within that jar, the flea will try for as long as it can to jump 50 feet, but will only be able to jump as high as the lid on the container. After a while, the flea will begin to doubt that it can even jump 50 feet anymore, and once you take off the lid, it will believe it, because all it has known is the restraints that have been placed upon it." Don't let yourself put the lid on your own container. Remember that you can do many things under God, but if you restrict yourself, you'll only be as great as your restrictions.

God bless.