We all have excuses. Reasons. Stories. Little explanations we carry around that keep us from living up to our greatness, from stepping into our highest potential. And the truth is, we are all very good at justifying those excuses.

Excuses can sound practical. They can sound believable. They can even sound reasonable. And yet… excuses are often the quiet anchors that keep our souls from soaring. Some people use disability, for example, as an excuse. These people need to get another excuse. Because if you are functioning in the world — breathing, thinking, loving, contributing in any way — then you have the ability to integrate yourself into life with your disability. You can allow it to deepen you, or you can allow it to diminish you. You can let it become your stopping point, or you can let it become part of your strength.

We all have something we can use as our excuse.

I’m blind.

I’m dyslexic.

I have ADHD.

I’m old.

I’m poor.

I’m overweight.

I’ve been hurt.

I’ve failed before.

As if these conditions give us an out — a reason not to show up fully in the world. As if they excuse us from courage. And listen… challenges are real. Pain is real. Limitations are real. And still, our disability can become our barrier, or it can become our blessing.

I know people with a myriad of physical difficulties who always show up. They never complain. They would do anything to serve others. They have aches, diagnoses, setbacks — and still they stay devoted. They keep moving with dignity. They live with determination even on days that feel unsteady. They keep serving. They keep stepping forward.

And sometimes, I think about my guide dog Ava. Ava does not wake up in the morning and say, “Well, I’m limited by this leash, so I guess I won’t work today.” No. Ava decides to step forward. Tail thumping. Heart devoted. Spirit is wide awake. She meets the day with determination, as if the whole world is still waiting to be discovered. She does not dwell on what she cannot do — she leans into what she is called to do. And maybe that is the lesson: we are not meant to shrink back into our circumstances. We are meant to be daring. We are meant to be directed. We are meant to show up.

And that raises a question worth pondering: How come some people cling to excuses, while others rise beyond them?

The difference is not what happened to them. The difference is what they decided. Some people want to remain victims of their circumstances, while others want to be empowered by them. We all have stuff. Every one of us carries something.

Life offers plenty of opportunities to be:

deterred,

disenchanted,

disregarded,

discouraged,

disabled…

And yet, we can also decide to be:

Determined.

Delighted.

Distinguished.

Driven.

Dynamic.

That shift begins with one sacred word:

Decide.

Before too much life passes you by, decide to live life.

Decide to make a difference.

Decide to drop the excuses.

Decide to participate.

Decide to live large.

Decide to stop shrinking your dreams to fit your fears.

You were not created to hover on the edge of your own potential. You were created to step forward, to bring your gifts, and to offer your light.

I challenge you to be the champion of your greatness.

Decide to be devoted.

Decide to be daring.

Decide to be deep-rooted.

Decide to be divine in your outlook.

Decide to be dependable.

Decide to keep dreaming.

Decide to be directed.

Decide to keep developing.

Decide to be dawn-filled — because even if yesterday felt like midnight, today can still be morning.

Excuses will always be available. And so will courage. And the world needs what is in you. Spirit did not place breath in your lungs and dreams in your heart for you to remain grounded in fear. You were made to rise. You were made to stretch toward the light. Even with scars, even with limitations, even with uncertainty — you were made to soar. The wind may be strong, and the path may feel unseen, and still the Spirit within you whispers, Step forward. Decide. Lift your wings. And watch how Spirit carries you in midair. In this way, you’ll change the way you see and change the way you live.