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“Everyone starts somewhere. Do not sell yourself short.”

Many people are not fully honest about where they are in their journey. By “not honest,” I do not mean they are lying. Rather, we often unintentionally mislead by presenting only our best sides. This is not necessarily wrong, but it can create a distorted picture of progress and success.

Dearest reader, I once came across a quote that has stayed with me: “Anytime you are afraid to try something new, remember that amateurs built the ark, and professionals built the Titanic.”

This is not to discredit the value of excellence or expertise. Instead, it is a reminder that less than perfect is still worthwhile, and that perfection, as we imagine it, is often overrated.

When I was younger, Kingatha jokingly called me an “idol worshiper.” Not because I served a traditional idol, but because of how I viewed the people I admired. I often forgot that remarkable people are still human. I placed them on pedestals and overlooked the fact that they, too, had flaws, doubts, and beginnings.

The truth is that people become exceptional because they put in the work. They gave themselves permission to start, to try, and to fail forward. They took a chance on their potential. At the core of it all, we are all human, and every great story has a starting point.

So do not be like me. Stop idolizing people. Admiration is healthy, but idolization is not. Let their journeys inspire you, not intimidate you. Give yourself the same grace you give others, and remember that your beginning is just as valid as theirs.

@favvy_Okwans🖤.