In guiding others through life's trials and triumphs, I've walked a path strewn with the footprints of those I've helped. I've lent a hand, shared wisdom, and witnessed remarkable transformations. Yet, amid the victories others celebrate, my journey has been threaded with moments of self-doubt, fear, and failure.
I am not your guru. I am a fellow traveller navigating the twists and turns of life, occasionally stumbling upon success but also confronting the harsh realities of setbacks. Ironically, the fear of failure, which propels many towards greatness, has sometimes cast a looming shadow over my endeavours.
Every year since 2021, I would sit back as the year wraps up to watch a documentary on Tony Robbins titled I Am Not Your Guru (you can call it my yearly end of year ritual). Each year, I am reminded that I must never attain the status of being a guru in the lives of people I meet because access must be granted and that access must be used wisely. I am reminded that my outgoing year might have been the way it went, but I can have a different outlook towards it while looking ahead. Tony is 63 years old, and his annual event, "Date with Destiny", brings people together yearly. And the testimonies are remarkable, yet he's had his flaws. So, why does it resonate with me?
I've witnessed individuals conquer their fears, leaping beyond their perceived limitations. I've celebrated their triumphs as if they were my own, relishing the joy of seeing others soar. But in the quiet moments, away from the accolades, I've grappled with my humanity. I've wrestled with the persistent reminders that I, too, am fallible.
My journey has yet to be a straight ascent towards an unblemished peak of success. It's been a series of climbs and descents, each stumble etching lessons into my soul. Failure hasn't been a stranger. Oh yes, I have failed in any aspect of life you can think of. It's been a companion teaching me resilience, empathy, and the value of perseverance.
Despite these setbacks, I've found myself surpassing the boundaries I once thought insurmountable. My successes, unexpected and often humbling, have transcended my initial expectations. Yet, with each victory, I've been reminded that being human is about embracing imperfections.
I am not a flawless guide but a fellow voyager sharing the wisdom from traversing mountainous triumphs and cavernous failures. My purpose has never been to possess all the answers but to illuminate the path forward, knowing that the journey is where growth thrives.
In acknowledging my humanity, I've discovered an inherent strength - the ability to connect with others through shared experiences. In my vulnerabilities, I've fostered deeper connections, forming bonds that transcend the boundaries of mentorship.
So, to those who perceive me as an unerring beacon of guidance, I implore you to see beyond the pedestal. I am not infallible. I am not your guru. I am a flawed individual, a fellow traveller on this ever-evolving expedition we call life.
In embracing our shared humanity and acknowledging our fears and failures, we discover the profound beauty in the journey itself. And in that realization lies the essence of growth, empathy, and the unending pursuit of becoming not perfect but wholeheartedly human.
And so, as this year ends, I am sending this to you as well as a reminder to permit yourself to live life.
Allow yourself to live humanly without the expectations of men made from dust. Allow your inner child to come to play. Allow yourself to be loved and pampered.
You have been strong externally for so long, but it is time to allow yourself to be you.
Go Make Your Life A Masterpiece
Love. Live. Laugh
I love you!
P.S. I will watch I Am Not Your Guru again this year.
Toluse