We have all had the experience of trying to twist the top off of the jelly jar until our hands turn sore and red. After trying, trying, and trying again, we finally decided to give up. As if planned, the moment we decide to give up, someone enters the kitchen and offers to help. Without saying a word, they reach for the jar and effortlessly twist it open. As the jar top rattles to halt on the kitchen counter, thoughts raced through our minds like:

“That’s not fair. I loosened it up for you.”

“All I needed was one more good twist.”

At some point in our life, each of us has had a world changing idea sealed in the jar of our mind. The challenge lies in releasing the full potential of the idea. Some of us don’t bother to twist and next person sees the opportunity we passed on and opens it to the world. Some of us twist timidly. We value ease and comfort so much that they outweigh the invaluable contents within the jar.

Some of us are still twisting and I encourage you to continue. Hidden inside that jar is your full potential, your golden ticket, your purpose. Stop at nothing to reach it. Twist, twist, twist until the top pops off.

In the midst of our daily struggle with life, progress can be hard to see. As a result, others may laugh, doubt, and dissuade, usually because they’ve given up on finding the treasure inside themselves. Instead of fighting life, be open to it, and your impact will spread. Learn to appreciate life’s challenges because they make the substance of life sweeter. Oftentimes, the difference between being average and great is one more twist.

Live purposefully!