IN LIFE YOU HAVE TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE BUILT FOR THIS!
There’s something that I know deep down inside—something that keeps me grounded, motivated, and locked in no matter how hard life gets. And that truth is this: I was built for this. Not just for the good times, but the storms, the struggles, and everything in between. I say that not with arrogance, but with confidence—confidence rooted in the solid foundation my parents gave me when I was growing up in New York City.
I was blessed. Let me be real about it. I had parents who loved me, hugged me, and exposed me to the world beyond my block. They took the time to show me different cultures, races, traditions, and values. That exposure made me feel comfortable in my own skin. They didn’t just feed my stomach—they fed my mind and spirit. That early investment shaped me and let me know that I could do anything I put my mind to.
But not everyone had that. Not everyone had warm arms to run into after school. Not everyone had people clapping for them when they got something right, or correcting them in love when they went the wrong way. Many people were thrown into this world without a guide, without a cheerleader, without the belief system that says, “You’ve got this.” So what happens then? Are they broken forever? Do they just sit still and accept defeat? Absolutely not.
These shared thoughts are for those who didn’t get that head start. It's for those who may have been doubted, overlooked, or silenced. I want to give you something you might not have received before: confirmation that you are capable, worthy, and powerful—and the tools to build yourself up, even if you’re starting from scratch.
You don’t have to be a victim of your past. You don’t have to walk around empty and defeated. You can learn. You can grow. You can become strong in ways that even shock the people who doubted you. You can build the foundation now, brick by brick. And in the end, you’ll be able to say with full conviction, I was built for this.
I grew up on 134th Street in Queens, New York City after moving from Washington Heights in Manhattan when I was 5 years old. The city was alive—people from everywhere, cultures blending, sounds echoing, lessons all around you if you paid attention. That place helped mold me. Every corner had a story. Every block had a rhythm. But the true power wasn’t in the city—it was in my home. My parents made sure I saw the world through different lenses. They made me believe in myself. They built me up with love and discipline.
So when life hit me—and believe me, it hit hard at times—I didn’t fold. I might’ve stumbled, I might’ve cried, but I never gave up. Because I had a foundation. But if you didn’t have that? You still have the power to create your own. You can build yourself up right now. And it starts with taking ownership of your mind, your body, and your spirit.
Too many people today let the voices of others shape their future. “You’re not smart enough.” “You’re too old.” “You come from nothing.” Lies. Those are lies spoken by people who gave up on themselves. And now they want you to join them in their hopelessness. But that’s not your path. Not if you choose to rise. Not if you start building today.
So how do you do it? How do you break free from a past that didn’t support you? How do you build confidence when you never had it? How do you find your fire when it was never lit? You do it one step at a time, with patience, with grit, and with the mindset that no matter how far behind you are, you are still in the race.
Here are 10 solid ways to build yourself up and become unstoppable:
Start your day with silence and gratitude. Take 10 minutes each morning to sit still, breathe, and say thank you—for being alive, for having another chance.
Read daily. Not social media—but books that teach, uplift, and stretch your mind. Just 10 pages a day can change your life.
Work your body. Walk, stretch, lift, dance. Movement builds strength and releases stress. You’ll feel alive again.
Speak kindly to yourself. Look in the mirror and affirm what’s true: You are worthy. You are powerful. You are rising.
Cut off toxic voices. Anyone who tears you down, whether family, friends, or co-workers—distance yourself. You don’t need that poison.
Set a goal and chase it. One goal. Something you care about. Start small, stay consistent, and watch your confidence grow.
Surround yourself with builders. Find people who are going somewhere. Learn from them. Let their fire light yours.
Write your thoughts. Journal your fears, your dreams, your ideas. Writing helps you process and build inner clarity.
Serve someone else. Help others. You’d be surprised how uplifting someone else can actually lift you.
Protect your peace. Turn off the noise. No need to argue, defend, or explain. Walk in peace. You owe that to yourself.
These are simple. Not easy—but simple. And they work if you work them. You don’t have to move fast. You just have to keep moving.
Even when life knocks you down, remember this: you’re allowed to fall, but you’re not allowed to quit. Those who rise keep rising not because they’re lucky—but because they decided to. They built themselves up with truth, effort, and heart.
If you’ve made it this far into the article, let this be your turning point. Let this be the moment where you stop making excuses for what you didn’t get, and start building what you can become. The past may have shaped you, but it doesn’t have to define you. The power is in your hands now.
Think about the strongest people you know. They weren’t always strong. Many were once scared, unsure, and broken. But they made a choice. A choice to fight for their joy, their voice, and their peace. That choice is yours too.
Every time you show up for yourself—when you read a book, go for a walk, take care of your health, cut off negativity—you’re saying, I am worth it. And you are.
So whether you had a loving upbringing like I did, or you’re piecing yourself together now, understand this: You are not behind. You are just getting started. There’s still time to become what you were born to be.
In life, we all face storms. But some of us know deep down—we were built for this. And if nobody ever told you that before, hear me now: You were built for this, too.
Lance Scurv
Bold. Raw. Uncut.
