I had the pleasure of writing a spoken word piece for the Chick fil A Leader Academy.  The theme was “Impact Through Action” and they wanted me to inspire the kids to get moving on whatever God placed in their heart to do to help make the world a better place.

Impact Through Action

I was once in the same seat

Thinking the same things

Having the same dreams

But lacking the same means

But that was lie

I was packed with the potential for action

The only thing that needed to happen was mental

I needed to get out of my own way

As my soul ached

To sow change

There was no way

I could ignore it

This weight was enormous

So painful to hold

This weight on my shoulders

I had to get to it

I had to be bold

I had to let go of myself

To get hold of myself

Or implode

Just imagining all of those who need help

With so many sent

But no one willing to go

No one willing to show

The character needed

To stand for the needy

Hand in hand

And raise the standard.

What if Martin Luther King Jr. kept his dreams to himself

What if Mother Theresa was selfish

And folded her hands when someone needed help.

Or what if every leader in this room wished that someone else would make a difference

And never started moving

But what if we all did move in unison

And used our given talents and vision

To challenge the system

And status quo

And build a rally of young people

Known for answering the call

Impacting through action

And never passive

Reacting to the needs of their community

And doing what needed to be done.

Here is your chance

No one on the sidelines

No game managers

No bench riders

Everyone’s captain

Everyone active

At full passion

No one missing

Nothing lacking.

Just imagine the change you seek to create

Take the proper steps

And get at it.

I was once in the same seat

Thinking the same things

Having the same dreams

But lacking the same means

But that was lie

I was packed with the potential for action

The only thing that needed to happen was mental.

I remember sitting in the stands

Wishing that I had what it took to be great

But you know deep down inside

That you have what it takes

And you know that there’s people that need you

That can’t last another day

And you can’t miss this chance

Each time your heart is pricked is a gift

And there’s no guarantee that this moment will ever come again

And you know you don’t have the luxury to stand at a distance

And live an ordinary life

Big house

Spouse

2.5 kids

And a white picket fence

If you know your life was meant

To change the world and make a difference.

Its all meaningless if its not this

That thing in the pit of your stomach

That you walk with

That burning desire to be a part of something great

Give your all to something big

Instead of settling for something safe

Im not meddling inside your head

This was me

Wanting to make history

By giving of myself

To help somebody else.

Even if it means standing here all by myself.

I was once in the same seat

Thinking the same things

Having the same dreams

But lacking the same means

But that was lie

I was packed with the potential for action

The only thing that needed to happen was mental.

So I acted

And stayed active

And it finally happened

And that is why I am here.

Its time

Its now

Its impact through action!