You Are the One

Today, I watched the trailer of Unstoppable, a movie that brings to life the inspiring journey of Anthony Robles, a young man born with only one leg who went on to become a champion wrestler. Anthony’s determination and refusal to let his perceived “limitations” define him led him to claim the 2011 NCAA Wrestling Championship title in the 125-pound weight class. His story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we face our true opponent: ourselves.

In one scene, Anthony’s coach tells him, “Anthony, your greatest opponent will never be the one across from you on the mat. Your greatest opponent, in every situation, will always be you.” This isn’t just true for athletes; it’s true for all of us. We often believe that our obstacles are external—people who don't support us, opportunities that don’t go our way, or setbacks that seem beyond our control. But at the end of the day, the most challenging barrier we face is how we respond to these circumstances.

So much time is wasted blaming others for not opening doors for us, not lending a hand, or not believing in us. Yet, the reality is no one owes us anything. The moment we shift the responsibility for our growth onto others, we give away our power. Success doesn’t come from waiting for someone else to prioritize our needs; it comes from owning our journey and refusing to let circumstances define us.

We are all ultimately responsible for taking action toward our dreams. If we accept this responsibility fully, we unlock the strength within us to make change happen. It’s time to face your greatest opponent and realize that the only person who can hold you back is you.

As I recently heard, "Ten years will pass by whether you achieve your goals or not; ten years will surely pass." The question is, where will you be? In ten years, you’ll still be producing the same results as today—unless you change who you are now.

Daily Journaling Prompt: What small action can I take today that will bring me closer to becoming the person I want to be in ten years?

With all my heart,

Salima