I remember when my daddy was diagnosed with liver cancer. I was completely ignorant of what was happening right before my eyes. Thinking back to the final days I spent with my daddy, I am amazed at how much he physically and mentally changed over a short period of time. He was diagnosed with liver cancer one week and he passed away the next week. I literally had no time to prepare or understand the reality that would soon change my entire life.

My daddy never worried about anything. Whenever I went to him with a problem his reply would always start off with a nonchalant, “Well that’s alright.” and I would immediately roll my eyes. EVERYTHING WAS NOT ALWAYS “ALRIGHT.” When I cried, he would say, “Well that’s alright those tears ain’t doing nothing but making your eyes clean.”

I remember one of the finals days I spent with him. We sat in the room in silence. I did not know what to say to him. I am convinced that he really did not know what to say to me either. I sat there thinking we had more days or we had more time but I was wrong. Then my daddy said to me, “You can let your life pass you by or you can get down and try; Work it all out this lifetime.” I did not think those were the right choice of words at that moment but five years later those are the words that are the driving force in my life. My wish is that those same words can inspire and motivate you like they did me.

Maxwell: "You can let your life pass you by, or you can get down and try; Work it all out this lifetime."

Truth is, after hearing those words I could never listen to the song without shedding a couple of tears. The grief I felt while listening wouldn’t allow me to fully comprehend the the lyrics to the song. Well today, as I type these words with Maxwell "Lifetime" playing in the background, I see that the song has so much inspiration behind it.

No matter where you are, no matter the mistakes you have made in the past, I DARE you to start right where you are, with everything you have inside of you to TRY to work it all out this lifetime. Don't let your life pass you by because you only get one.

Maxwell: "I was reborn when I was broken."

Truth is, I was reborn when I was broken. My hurt, my pain, and my uncertainties birthed a new me. If you are feeling broken, I DARE you to use those broken pieces to birth a new you. Obstacles gives you two options, you can let them break you down or build you up. I dare you to let them build you up.

Maxwell: "If you want it you can have it. "

The truth is, if you want it you can have it. You can live the life you have always dreamed of all it takes is courage, hard work and prayer. My daddy would always say, "I dare you to be somebody." Well, I triple dog dare YOU to be somebody!

You can let your life pass you by or you can get down and try... Work it all out this lifetime.