There is an important reality we all must face.  Even with all the support and care we may have around us, there are times when we are truly on our own.

• When taking an exam in biology class, we are on our own.
• When dealing with an unruly 2-year-old in a crowded shopping mall, we are on our own.
• When making a sales pitch to a customer, we are on our own.
• When covering a wide receiver man-to-man on defense, we are on our own.
• When we are “in the moment” with a difficult relationship conflict, we are on our own.
• When we face that choice right now to support a harmful addiction, we are on our own.
• When we enter the ring, we are on our own.

For many of us, we have others in our lives who care for us and provide much needed support and love.  Having healthy, supportive relationships in our lives forms a critical foundation for a life of positive impact.  However, the most difficult and necessary reality we all must face is that there are certain critical moments in life when we are all alone and need to stand and deliver.

As we continue on our journey to build and strengthen our character, an important challenge we need to accept is that we are on our own as we guide our thoughts, decisions, and actions.

Below are a few positive outcomes from accepting the reality that we are on our own:

1. We learn that we are responsible and accountable for the decisions we make. Playing the “blame game” is not an option when we are on our own.
2. We become free to guide our own thought-life, not mom or dad, a spouse, teacher or boss. We own our thoughts…and what we think, we become.
3. We are well-positioned to make a decision on our faith. Just like in the Biblical story of David and Goliath.  David was physically alone in the valley with Goliath, but he knew he was not truly alone.  When we find ourselves all alone in life, we are in a most perfect position to make a decision on what we believe.

As we accept this most difficult and necessary conclusion that even with others around us, there are times when we are all alone, we build and strengthen our character and our Character Creates Opportunity® to reach our full potential.  Also, as President John F. Kennedy most famously said, “Pray not for easy lives, pray to be stronger men,” we are in a great position to make a decision on what we believe.