Today, we stand at a crossroads. Some of you are young adults, just starting out, full of dreams, but unsure of where life will take you. Others are middle-aged, looking back at what you’ve built, and realizing that it didn’t turn out the way you hoped. Maybe life fell apart after a divorce, maybe you lost something or someone along the way, and now you’re left with half of what you once had—or even less.
But here’s the truth: no matter where you are, no matter how overwhelming life feels, you can change it. You have the power, starting today, to make decisions that will transform your reality. It won’t happen overnight, but each step, each choice, lays a brick on the path toward the life you desire.
I know what it’s like to feel lost, depleted, or unsure of what’s next. I’ve been there—wondering where I went wrong, questioning if I could ever start over. But let me tell you: it’s possible. It’s not only possible; it’s something you’re fully capable of achieving, no matter how young or how seasoned you are.
Take Ownership of Your Life
Some of you may feel like you’ve given everything to others, leaving nothing for yourself. Now, you stand alone, asking, What happened to the essential parts of me? It’s a painful place to be, but it’s also the perfect place to begin again.
As I often say—and as I discuss in my upcoming book If You Change Your Mind, You Can Change Your Life—we are where we are because of the decisions we’ve made. While that may sound harsh, it’s actually empowering. Why? Because it means we have the power to change. Think about it: if your current circumstances are the result of your past choices, then by making new, intentional decisions, you can change the trajectory of your life and create the reality you truly desire.
Consider this: how did God create the world, according to the Bible? God was intentional, knowing exactly what He or She wanted, spoke it into existence, and created it. That’s the same process you can use to shape your life. Know what you want. Then, be intentional with your words, actions, decisions, and focus. Time is a limited resource, so choose wisely what you give your energy to, and watch how your life begins to take form.
Change starts from within. You must transform your thinking before your circumstances will follow. For example, if you give a poor person money without teaching them how to manage it, they’ll likely become poor again because their mindset hasn’t shifted. That’s why my upcoming book is so important—because If You Change Your Mind, You Can Change Your Life.
- To young adults: You’re stepping into a world full of noise—voices telling you who to be and how to live. But I urge you to think critically a. bout the life you want to create. The decisions you make now will shape your future in ways you can’t yet imagine. Choose wisely. Don’t be swayed by temporary pleasures or the pressure to fit in. Build a life that reflects your true desires, not someone else’s.
- To those in mid-life starting over: Starting over is not the end—it’s the beginning of something new. Yes, you’ve faced loss, and yes, life didn’t go as planned, but you can still create something beautiful. I know what it feels like to have the rug pulled from under you. After a major setback in my own life, I thought the best was behind me. But that’s where I discovered the power to rebuild—brick by brick—and create a life I never thought possible. The key is to let go of what was and focus on what is possible now.
Be Honest and True to Yourself
To thine own self be true. These words hold immense power. Real change begins when we are honest with ourselves. Ask yourself:
- What do I really want?
- What makes me feel alive?
It’s not always easy to answer these questions, especially when the world is trying to dictate your path. But when you discover what truly drives you, everything changes.
For me, there came a moment when I realized I wasn’t living the life I wanted; I was living the life others expected of me. I had to be brave enough to let go of old expectations and pursue the future I wanted for myself. That’s what I urge you to do—live authentically. Make choices that align with who you are, not who others think you should be.
Control Your Emotions, Don’t Let Them Control You
We are emotional beings, and that’s what makes life rich and complex. But emotions can also mislead us. Just because you feel lost or confused right now doesn’t mean that’s where you’re meant to stay.
Emotions are fleeting—they come and go. The key is not to let them dictate your decisions. Life will always throw challenges your way, but the only thing you truly control is yourself, not external events. True transformation begins Within and radiates outward, not the other way around.
I know this from experience. During one of the most challenging times of my life, I let emotions like fear and regret cloud my judgment. But once I learned to rise above those emotions and Make decisions rooted in the Truth of who I am and the future I desired, everything started to shift in ways I could never have imagined.
Live in the Present, Practice Gratitude
Yes, you may have dreams that haven’t come true yet. Yes, you may feel like something is missing. But instead of focusing on what you don’t have, focus on what you do have. Gratitude is a powerful tool for transformation.
When I was struggling to find my footing, I had to learn the hard way that focusing on what I didn’t have was keeping me stuck. It was only when I started practicing gratitude—finding contentment in the present moment—that new doors opened for me.
Find joy in what you have, even if it’s not perfect, and trust that more is on its way.
Balance Is Key
How do we live authentically, pursue our dreams, and still be good partners, friends, and people? The key is balance.You can’t please everyone all the time. Sometimes, you’ll have to say no to others so you can say yes to yourself. That’s not selfish—it’s necessary.
Think of it like this: If you’re constantly giving to others and never refilling your own cup, you’ll end up depleted. Many of you feel like that right now. But I want to tell you that you have permission to say no to what drains you and yes to what fills you up. You can’t pour into others if your own well is empty.
Practical Steps for Transformation
Now, let’s talk about real-life, actionable steps you can take to change your life starting today:
- Get clear on what you want: Reflect on your desires, passions, and values. What kind of life do you want to create?
- Make intentional decisions: Every choice you make is a brick in the path to your future. Choose wisely.
- Be honest with yourself: Don’t try to live up to others’ expectations—live up to your own.
- Control your emotions: Feelings are important, but they shouldn’t run your life. Learn to discern between emotions and facts.
- Practice gratitude: Focus on what you have right now, even if it’s not everything you want.
- Create balance: Prioritize your own well-being, and say no to what drains you.
The Best Is Yet to Come
In the end, it all comes down to this: We have one life. One chance to live authentically, to create a reality that aligns with who we truly are. Don’t waste it. Don’t let it slip away.
Imagine yourself one year from now. Picture the life you want—fulfilled, purposeful, filled with joy. It’s not a distant dream; it’s within your grasp. But it starts today, with the choices you make right now.
You are worthy of a life filled with purpose, love, and success. The best is not behind you—it’s ahead of you. No matter where you’re starting from today, the best is yet to come.
Trust me, I know it’s not always easy. But it’s time to let go of what was. It’s time to embrace what is possible. Go out and create the life you were meant to live.
The question is: Are you truly ready to step into the life you’ve always dreamed of? Because it’s waiting for you. All it takes is the courage to step forward. Do you have the boldness to believe in your dreams? To believe in yourself?
I already believe in you. And with your belief, combined with your determination and wise decisions, it won’t be long before you’re standing on the other side of your dreams, living them fully.
I’ll be right here, cheering you on every step of the way. So, what are you waiting for? Go. Live the life you deserve.
Today, I want to do something different. I’ll leave you with a poem by Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, whose words have deeply inspired me. I hope they resonate with you as well.
Until next time, to all my audacious minds—choose wisely.
Check out my pick for this week’s video/song on the Words Matter by John Maurice blog. You can find the link to the video in the description of my YouTube video. Enjoy!
https://youtu.be/ggQ6GAVyC0A?si=4RXkNDvafA1URMYq
Love Always
John Maurice