Follow Through

I can't whistle. Never could, and at this point I'll never be able to. It's never bothered me or anything. Didn't have any significant effect on my life. I got through 21 years just fine without it. I didn't even realize I couldn't. Until the other day at work I was ringing up a customer and he started whistling. Suddenly I thought back to when I was that 7 year old kid who wanted so badly to be able to whistle and would always ask people to teach him. They made it seem so simple but I just couldn't grasp the concept. So I gave up. Whistling didn't even cross my mind at any point afterward. Fast forward 14 years later and here I am a 21 year old standing in front of this customer and I still can't whistle. Something I once wanted so badly was just completely gone and given up on, to the point where it no longer matters. You're probably thinking this is incredibly trivial, and you're right. But to me this meant so much more than whistling. It's like I was having an epiphany in this moment standing before this customer trying to keep a smile on my face as I thought of all the other goals, dreams and desires I let slip away because they didn't work out the way I wanted them to when I wanted them to work out. I missed out on way more than being able to whistle. So many times I've had a desire to do something or develop a craft and just completely discarded the thought of it because it didn't work out. And then I began thinking about how there's no way I'm the only one. You're probably already thinking as you read this about something you once gave up on too soon. A lot of us are only satisfied with instant gratification, not everything works out that way. Blessings wear disguises as if everyday is October 31st, so you won't always pick up on them immediately. We've talked about shooting your shot, in all different areas of life. The importance of taking chances and doing what you want to do. But if you ask anyone who's ever played even a little bit of basketball, the most important part of a shot is the follow through. That also applies metaphorically. What good is shooting your shot if you don't follow through? If you want something, it isn't enough just to want it. Follow through and do what it takes to obtain it. Don't be so quick to give up on something or talk yourself out of chasing something you want because it doesn't work out right away. Or 14 years will pass you by and you'll realize you still can't whistle. You'll never win the title belt if you throw in the towel in the first round. "Find what you love and let it kill you" -  Charles Bukowski... in other words "What we gon do? Do it to death" - Busta Rhymes

Sometimes you just have to jump in the water like you aren't afraid to drown, that's essentially how you learn to swim. So whatever it is that you do, actually do it. Stop making excuses, stop giving up, stop putting it off. Embrace it head on. I don't really have a New Year's Resolution because I never follow through with them. So one thing I plan to work on this year is following through, that way I can be in position to actually have a resolution next year. It just feels like I've tried and wanted to do so many different things and I've done absolutely nothing. So many ideas and desires with nothing to show for it. As I get older, time seems to be moving faster. 2015 was the fastest year of my life. It's time to stop trying and start doing. A wise man once said "I've gotta make a move, I've gotta do this now. If they don't know your dreams, then they can't shoot em down" - J. Cole ... So shoot your shot, and leave your hand up to make sure it looks pretty for the highlight reel. You're more likely to have something to show for it if you follow through. Go get what you want. Contrary to what you may have heard, If You're Reading This It's Not Too Late. Another wise man once said "Water you waiting for?" 

      

- Swaggy T