“Tell me what you know about dreams, what you know about having faith
In something you can’t see, tell me how much do you believe
What you know about feeling something, that you can’t even touch
What you know bout smelling something, that you can’t even breathe
But when the world drives you out, and your gas tank is on E
All the faith that you had, just ain’t all the faith that you need
All the faith that I have, just ain’t all the faith that I need
I’m sorry.”
The above lyrics were from the song, Nothing Is Stopping You by Big Sean. The very first time I heard this song, I was hooked on that part of the song and the title. Big Sean stated it perfectly. When you’re connected to your purpose intimately, there’s no guarantee that the journey you’re on will be comfortable. It is going to cost something especially when you can’t quite see it, smell it, touch it, and to get to the point where you can do any of those things, you don’t quite have the answer as to how long any of that will take.
As I’ve conveyed numerous times to players I’ve coached over the years, have written about in detail in my book, with coaches I’ve met in the profession, and strangers I’ve met and ended up having long conversations with in airports over the years, we all have a purpose.
Setting out to access and mature that purpose further when it comes to growth is not easy. There are things that drive many of us towards growth. We want to continue to mature our skills and reach higher heights, but its complex because the bridge to growth in your purpose isn’t an easy one to cross. It’s dependent on timing and most of the time someone else. There are some things that have to transpire in order for you to move forward sometimes.
When we are intimate with our purpose and we seek growth, sometimes there’s a season that prompts us to think that because of the delay, are we on the right track? Don’t give up, the delay is a part of the growth. The delay makes us stronger. The delay in new opportunities or the delay in advancement of skills you’re seeking, regardless of what it may be, doesn’t mean you’ll be denied the opportunity to grow. Delay simply means not right now.
I’ve always tried to draw from my spiritual foundation to remind myself that what I want in life is a part of that purpose. Life is a chain of graduating moments and when you’re on that quest for more in developing your skills that relate or are tied to your purpose, you find that when denial isn’t an insurmountable wall for you, when ‘NO’ doesn’t deter you, it’s only a matter of time for you. You’ve made your ‘NO’ or ‘DENIAL’, simply just a delay that is about to turn into a confirming move forward in growth.
Don’t stop, even if you can’t smell it, taste it, breathe it right now, it’s only a matter of time. I love when I hear people say, “Delay just means not yet.” It is true and is a true test of your motives and agenda. The slow down sometimes is a test to see how long are you willing to wait to move forward in your area of purpose. When you can wait it out, it’s an indication of your true purpose. I can relate to Big Sean and the verses above. Focus on drawing strength while you wait. Remember, it’s only a matter of time.