Your World Within Podcast by Eddie Pinero - POSITIVE THINKING FOR TOUGH TIMES - Powerful Motivational Speeches

Episode Date: October 14, 2024

"You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated." – Maya Angelou In this episode, Eddie Pinero dives into the power of resilience and the temporary nature of life's struggles. When we're in the middle of difficult times, it's easy to believe that the pain and challenges will last forever, but they won't. Eddie explores how peace and strength are always within us, just beneath the surface, waiting to reemerge. The key is not whether the storm will pass—because it will—but whether we can lift our heads and move through it. Tune in for a reminder to keep going, no matter how tough it gets. Monday Motivation Newsletter: https://www.eddiepinero.com/newsletter Free Ebook: www.eddiepinero.com/ebook  YouTube: www.eddiepinero.com/youtube 

This is your reminder that it's not permanent. Whatever it is you're going through, whatever it is you're fighting, feeling, or up against. It's not permanent. It will subside in what you'll be left with is the calm and the peace and the power that was there the entire time just underneath the surface that never truly left.

See, we tend to do something, and this something is the root of a lot of our struggle and pain. This something is particularly in the moment thinking that what we're going through now will last forever. It's the misconception that it's not a temporary battle but a life sentence. We're incapable of looking beyond the immediate. And I'm here now to remind you it's temporary.

It's all temporary. The question is not, will the storm pass? The question is, even though it hurts, can you? Will you pick your head up and move through it? And I know in the storm it's hard to see anything other than those gray skies, the thunder, the lightning, the black. I'm not asking you to blink and see some imaginary sunny day. I'm asking you to keep walking even though you feel like you can't. I know it hurts. I know it seems crazy, but I'm asking you to keep one foot in front of the other until once again you find

yourself. Someone once told me success is often a matter of merely hanging on when most would be letting go. And that stuck with me. I think of it often because when I'm in pain, there comes with it an anxiety, almost a pressure to find solutions, to remove the problem. What if it doesn't go away?

What if this chaos is now just life? But that quote reminds me that I don't have to pull a rabbit out of a hat or run into any miracles, I simply have to hold on. I have to believe in myself enough, trust in the process, enough to not back down or hide or cower.

But continually, like those buffalo are said to do, move right into the heart of the storm. And know that when all is said and done, only one of us will remain and it won't be the storm see what you probably don't hear enough is the world needs you

because of sure who you are now but who you'll be on the other side and so the question is will you commit to pushing through what you probably don't hear enough is people need you absolutely because of who you are in this moment but also because Because you're the type of person who overcomes the storm and finds a way through.

My question remains the same. Will you find the courage to meet those on the other side? There's one true thing about all storms. They come and they go. And we often can't control when, why, where, or how long they exist. Well, it's just sometimes life pulls the strings. But we can be sure that if we hold on and just keep going, remember our worth, there's a world that awaits.

One maybe you can't see now, one that might not even make sense now, but a new world entirely. I once heard a speaker from a stage, asked the audience if they want a $20 bill. Of course, everyone raises their hand. He crumples it up. Says, now who wants it? Everyone's hands still raised.

He then proceeds, what if I do this? Drops it on the ground, stomps on it. Picks it up, shows the crowd. $20 bills in a ball all dirty. Anyone still want it? All hands remained up. See, it doesn't matter what he did to the money. Value stayed the same.

It's worth $20. Many times in our lives, he goes on to say, we do bad things or in bad situations, bad circumstances. We feel like we have no worth. But like that $20 bill, we never lose that value. That value exists when you are in pain. That calm exists underneath the turbulence. That sun lives beyond the clouds. It's never gone or diminished because of one's current state.

When all you see is what's not there, it's not because you're alone or that you've somehow diminished in value, it's because you're pushing through your story just as I'm pushing through mine. It's because you're seeing a crumpled up $20 bill and not its worth, not the true impact that exists and that awaits.

So whatever you do, keep pushing. Keep going, keep looking for the other side. Whether you can see it now or not, it is waiting for you. And hopefully, innately, you understand that. Not because life as you hoped or wanted was returned to you, but because just like your worth, it was there the whole time. There's a saying that what you water is ultimately what grows.

That where you place your attention ends up guiding your feelings, your perception, your actions, and your life. Focus becomes identity. And change comes from bringing awareness to what we're focusing on. I remember when this light bulb went off for me. Like so many epiphanies and what happened during a difficult kind of a trying time. It wasn't where I wanted to be. And I remember sitting down and asking myself, you know, dude, are you on your own team here?

Are you helping yourself? Using the metaphor, the question was, am I watering the weeds in my life or the flowers? And by the weeds, I mean, am I allocating energy to thoughts that are detrimental to what I want? Am I keeping myself in places I don't want to be and in relationships that are counterproductive? Am I thinking about what can go wrong

instead of all that can go right. Or am I watering the flowers, the positive, highlighting the possibility, the things I'm appreciative for, the seeds, the potential that can grow a mile high. See, I've always known the value in choosing to see the possibility. But the million dollar question is,

how do you remain aware? Because that's the thing about weeds, they're sneaky, they'll take control of your life without letting you know they're doing it. So I'm thinking this through, when it dawns on me, this is not complex. This is simple. It's one, identifying where you want to be,

and two, analyzing your actions. Based on those priorities, right? That's it. And so for every pillar of my life, health, relationships, career, finances, I made two dots. One for where I am and one for where I want to be. Everything in the middle is life. The ups, the downs, the joys, the sorrow.

So everything in between is the path, the line. And it's simple. You start on point A, knowing that you can always get to point B. That what you want exists. It's there. It's available. And your attention. All of your energy should be allocated to the thoughts that reinforce that truth.

That's your path. That's what you believe. That's what's important. And it's going to happen. Anything beyond or outside that line? anything that tells you you're not good enough, anything that accepts not achieving that priority, suggests it won't work out,

that is where the weeds live. That is wasted space. Why exhaust that energy? To think, you know, I'm not good enough to get this promotion. How does that help you get to your point B? It doesn't. Eliminate that thought, right? Point B always exists.

Just that notion pushes a lot of things to the side. You have to be good enough. You just need improvement. Maybe it's enhanced skills. Maybe it's more effort. Maybe it's changed approach. But tackling these things will water the flowers. It moves you along the path.

And progress is happiness. For me, health is a big thing. I run all the time. But I'd like to be more fit. I'd like to eat healthier. There's room for improvement. And I know it's possible. Because that is my point B.

I know that saying I don't have time or I don't have the right body type or genes or trying to convince myself that fast food just this once will be okay. No, all of that stuff is watering weeds. It exists outside my path. My time should be spent realizing how incredible the human body is, taking care of it, pushing it, being proud of it,

taking accountability for it. That's me. I only get one of these things. Even if it's just a little at a time, that's the beauty. Simply existing on a path and revolving around your ideals, your vision, your priorities brings a value. about joy. Negativity, it truly is a learned thing. It's manufactured. All there are in life are circumstances, circumstances that are neither positive nor negative, just pieces. And you decide what

to do with them. Do you focus on the negative? You can. But that won't put you in a position to change your circumstances or bring about happiness. When you decide to see the opportunity, you free yourself from the shackles of fate, because destiny never put you in this situation you did, but guess what? You can take yourself out of it. A field of sunflowers grew one root, one stem, one pedal at a time, the same field that was at one point nothing more than dirt and weeds. It was always possible and so was your ideal life. You just need to water the things that matter. Not too long ago, I shared a few thoughts related to stoicism with one of the most important messages in my eyes. important messages in my eyes being, you can't always help how you feel. There are biological elements,

there are emotions that we as humans simply cannot escape. But what we have control over is how we act, right? What we do amidst the feelings of sadness or anger or despair. Well, as it happens, fate brought me face to face with that lesson once again. And one of the most interesting aspects of life is that the lessons often have to be relearned, right? As the context around us changes, we are forced to draw from that well to take what we knew and transform it and level up. And so, quick story, two weeks ago, uh, ish, my Facebook account was hacked, which happens to a lot of people. It's not uncommon. And to be honest, I'd never really thought much about it. But I'm sitting there and I start getting these emails coming in, right, telling me my phone number's changed,

my email address has changed, my username's changed. All this stuff is changing. I'm like, what's going on? And before I could do anything, I go to look and realize I'm locked out of the account, right? Then I go from my personal page to my business page where I share thoughts like these, these episodes, videos, writings, and basically, you know, stuff I've been working on for years, and I realize I'm locked out of there as well. So whoever has the account is now operating it, and for whatever reason posting, like spammy images and videos or applying to people pretending to be me,

and there's just nothing I could do, right? I'm just locked out watching this happen. And when I say I felt angry, It's probably an understatement. I was surprised at how furious I was. It was a rage that I wouldn't have anticipated in a million years. I could not help it. And, you know, maybe it was vulnerability, right?

That feeling of helplessness, that some stranger had access to, you know, around 100,000 people that trust me. They had no idea what was happening, right? Or maybe it was anger at whoever it was doing this. anger at Facebook for being non-responsive, maybe a fear that, look, you can work so hard for so long and have something taken away incredibly quickly. Whatever it was, I was distraught for like three hours. And eventually I calmed down a little bit. And I remember just sitting there being so

disappointed in my reaction. I hated that I felt the way I did because leaders, and that's what I consider myself. That's what I aim to be in the world. They have to be more composed than I was, period. I thought about that story about the ship at sea that was trapped amidst the storm where everyone was terrified, the ship's going to sink, people were pale, you know, just frantic, screaming, except for the professor who, although he felt the same fear and was overcome by the same biological characteristics, he was not crying out, indicating that, you know, emotions often can't be avoided, but the response is what carries the weight. And I just think it was a great lesson for me because for a quick period of time, I definitely, using the same metaphor,

cried out, right? And if that intrusion on my work and privacy was his ship amidst the storm, it's okay that I felt the way I did, but now we have to work on the reaction. And by the way, I've gotten plenty of opportunity to, right? The account's still hacked. There's still weird posts going out under my name, but I manage it way differently. There's a calmness that I've managed to acquire and maintain.

We're done complaining about problems here. We're looking for solutions amidst what we can control and letting go. of what we cannot. Look, I know it's a cliche that our most important lessons come from our moments of duress, but this is exactly what I believe

that phrase refers to, right? You need to be hardened by the adversity to change yourself. You need to be able to look in the mirror and go, ooh, I didn't like that. I'm not doing that again, right? And it took an embarrassing three hours at me being furious

and acting irrationally. Okay, fine. But that's a small price to pay for the lesson. that I acquired. So I think for someone listening to this, my hope is twofold. One, don't forget that the initial reaction is often sewn into your DNA. It's okay to feel what you feel when things don't go your way.

But also, as you sort through the chaos, know that you have the ability to not only tame it, but make something from it. from it, truly. So that next time something similar arises, you have a blueprint. You'll be a step ahead, you'll find that perspective. Probably realizing, as I have, that it's just not the end of the world anyway. When you're able to eventually step outside your emotions,

operate from a point of clarity, a reshuffling of priorities always seems to take place. Look, the first thing. Look, the storms will come. And if you're pushing and growing and trying to take risks, right, those storms will be numerous. The question isn't will you feel them? The question is, can you get a little better each time at not crying out? Can you improve the reaction?

Can you regain composure and stay locked in on what truly matters? When the water rises, it sink or swim. We pick up certain truths as we make our way through life, realizations, little awakenings, patterns that allow us to map the things around us so that we can navigate this crazy place. And here's one such realization for my own journey. When you pursue your best, you live your best life. Your best is a North Star to guide you a bar, line, or benchmark that's always moving,

a reminder that you can always do more and be more. A reminder that life tomorrow can always be different than life today. To pursue your best, in my opinion, is synonymous with capturing all that is good in this world. Capitalizing on potential is to utilize those resources. utilize those resources in need of an architect, that pen in need of a poet, brush in need of a painter, story in need of a writer or populace in need of a leader. It's a pursuit that not only supplements our existence here on earth. No, I believe it is in and of itself why we are here on earth.

But like every ideal pragmatism seems to get in the way. meaning, well, life is more difficult in execution than it looks on paper. We can't be our quote unquote best every day. We sometimes fall short of that mark. Our outcomes don't always align with our expectations. The perpetual journey to one's best is neither straight nor without discomfort. It's more like the navigating of a new world without a map or compass, a world that we're by default ill-equipped to take on when we begin.

And I believe that 99% of success is reliant upon the willingness to move into that great unknown and allowing adversity to shape us. But that remaining 1% is a little bit different. That 1% is when we see what we've never seen. Do what we've never done. It's uncovering our best in those moments we feel are worst. climbing the highest when we're at our lowest. When the water rises, it's finding a way to swim.

See, the majority of life calls for tiny adjustments. It's observing and learning and moving on. But rarely do we talk about the darkest moments, when we feel as though we are up to our neck in the trials and tribulations of life. When the world doesn't relay messages of hope or prosperity, no, the only incoming message is to be able to be. despair. You're essentially David looking up at Goliath. Perhaps a Goliath of your making?

Perhaps not that a Goliath nonetheless. So why here? Why are these dark moments different than the 99%? Why is this stage provided at the very time when the limelight feels further out of reach than it ever has? Because this, this moment is when you prove to yourself who you are. You think you've dug deep in the past? You think you've given your all back then? No, you have no idea what you're capable of. The world provides a stage in our darkest moments so that you can pull back the curtains and illuminate your strength.

It floods your world with adversity so that you can trust yourself to navigate the waters. And if you can find a way here, when the walls are closing, clock is ticking and water is rising, what can't you do? Have you ever asked yourself that question? Those moments show us what we can be, and that is why the 1% is everything. Why is it that rock bottom becomes a bridge? to so many new tomorrows, where the losses we dread most become the change we need most. The answer is simple,

because in those moments we find within ourselves the keys to transformation. See, you didn't know that you can leap that far. And you didn't know because you've never been pushed so close to the edge running it so fast as speed. But in those moments you learn that you can take flight. You learn you have the power to stand again. So while the vast majority of life is saying yes when most would say no,

it's how we choose to act while immersed in our lowest lows that provides the framework and the opportunity. I believe that the tears indicative of despair streaming down your face look a lot like the tears that emerged during our happiest moments. They are the same. One just precedes the other. See, despair gives you a chance to look at life differently. Look at yourself differently. To look in the mirror and understand that the reflection looking back is capable of leading a revolution in your soul.

And I get how hard that is, how detached from reality it might seem, but isn't that what tomorrow is? A detachment from the reality, the parameters, and the rules of today? It's not until that seed is buried beneath the earth that it plants roots, that it takes aim at the sky, and when you are stuck beneath the chaos of life, you have to know that this is really, where you too transform. So forget yesterday's shoreline. This is where you build tomorrow's destination. Don't fixate on what is gone when you can dream of all that is to come.

And don't dwell on who you were when you can celebrate all you will be. When the water rises, swim.