Do You

October 31, 2025

Dedicated to Aaniyah Thomas

We ask young people to have their own life figured out at 13! That’s a problematic strategy. Think back when you were 13…do you have the same views on the world as an adult that you had at 13?! Probably not. Some of us hadn’t even hit puberty yet! I think it is easy to lean into a revisionist history of our past and forget what it was really like to be a teenager or a young adult. And we gotta stop that! If we don’t change our behavior, we will create additional barriers to the generations who come after us. We unknowingly also shackle ourselves to mandates that are nothing more than dead ends.

"What’s your passion?!” That is the question I often ask people, especially young people. Passions are important. They can be your driving force even when all the odds are against you. Passions are individualized and they are not limited to a college major or a career. Having a passion is a great precursor to finding one’s purpose. Finding one’s purpose tends to get lost in our journey in this life because some of us are too worried about who will be pleased and who will be pissed off. Remember, they ain't gotta get you for you to be you! Your passion is uniquely designed for you! My goddaughter, I've never been more proud of you. Traditions did not shackle you. With your tiny voice you had the loudest echo on what you were called to be! The world ain’t ready! But, so what?! You ready! Go get it!!!

Don't let anyone hijack your dreams! You get this tiny window in time where no one is looking for you to change the world or be a full-fledged adult. Make the most of it. At some point, adulting comes a knocking. And when it does and you answer, you won’t get this time back. The graveyard of what-if dreams is full. It does not need any more donations. Get all the materials for your dreams! Keep building! And if you need a hand, we got you!

While we all want greatness for you, don’t get bamboozled. Perfection is the trap! Perfection is not a requirement to be the best version of you. Hold on to this truth. Don't let not getting it perfectly hold you hostage. Embrace the imperfections and mistakes because we learn best. There is always a lesson to build on from everything we experience. Your job is to become a master detective, collect the clues, and solve the ministry that is your story. I just want you to be great…I can't tell you what that means…I can tell you what it ain’t…It ain't quitting because it's hard or because it doesn't look how you imagined. It ain't leaning on your talents…You gotta put in work…probably more than you ever have. Mediocrity and complacency can't be in the future…it's gotta stay in your rear-view mirror. Don't look back!

Take your time! Take it all in! You have this moment to make it about you. If you don't own this moment, you are cheating! You are cheating yourself from what could be because you can't see what's meant to be. You are cheating the world because no one but you was designed to do the things you do in the manner you will get it done. In this moment, slow down and experience the journey…don’t get so caught up in reaching the finish line that you can't celebrate every milestone. Let others celebrate you. Most importantly, become your own celebration station.

 

Your Godfather,
Elgrie J. Hurd III