I've always been told a lot of things by people throughout my life. Things such as "You can do anything, work hard and success will come your way". I've even been told things that aren't even totally true, and I believed them until I grew older.
One piece of advice that changed my outlook and lifetime goals was something that wasn't even told directly to me. I read it from a website. It was a quote from the late Nipsey Hussle. It says, "The greatest human act is to inspire."
At first, it didn't affect me because it was just some quote on a website to remember his legacy. Although I respect him and his memory, I have never even met this man. How can a few words on a website, touch me? How can I listen to a man that I have never met and is no longer here with us?
Regardless, it did spark something in me. We are socialized to worry about the amount of money we will make in the future from a young child. In many cases, we are discouraged to strive to do things for others and not for money.
What really stuck out to me about this was how Nipsey's actions spoke louder than his words. He was constantly showing his face in his surrounding communities and actually helping them in any way he could.
Many of the people who try to give me advice, can't even imagine what I have been through in life nor can they relate. When someone can't understand your story but is trying to tell you how to write it, their words don't mean much to me.
Everyone gets inspired by someone at some point in their lives. If your success happens to stem from a moment of inspiration, then you should pay it forward.
Despite the things that I have accomplished and plan to succeed at, I've never felt complete. Because I am someone that started from the bottom, I don't feel comfortable not helping others once I reach the top.
If I can just touch one person, in this world, I will feel like everything I have worked hard for was worth it. Although this article is about Nipsey Hussle's words, Denzel Washington said this in a great way as well.
He stated, "Don't just aspire to make a living. Aspire to make a difference." Between both men and their deep words, I know that I have to change the world and impact someone in my lifetime!
