Be Intentional And Impactful

The Painful Journey Back to Self

A friend used to stammer badly which made words feel like hurdles. Silence was his sanctuary. He was quiet, withdrawn, and soft spoken. Reading and writing were his power. He didn’t chase crowds nor seek approval. He chose who entered his space, and that space was sacred—simple, solitary, and safe. Yes, it got lonely sometimes, but loneliness felt better than the chaos of trying to fit in. He rarely got into trouble. He lived life on his terms.

Then something shifted.

After a successful therapy, he started believing that maybe, just maybe, if he made himself more available—more visible—his presence would carry weight. He thought that being interesting would make him impactful. That if he could impress people, he would matter more. And so for a long time he stretched himself thin. He became the version of himself that smiled when he ought to be angry, showed up when he needed to disappear, and spoke even when he had nothing to say so as to make a conversation. He tried to be everything to everyone.

And slowly, he vanished. Even his own spouse, children and family thought he was ready to tolerate anything and so gave him their leftovers!

He lost the quiet strength that once anchored him. His voice—once hesitant but honest—became a performance. He was burnt out, hollowed by the effort of being liked, admired, noticed. He had become a stranger to himself and totally torn apart, though outwardly, he seemed together.

Then came the moment that changed everything when he was on the verge of total destruction in the not too distant past.

A visit to a wise person, with eyes that saw through the noise, looked at him and said:
“Dear Mighty Man of Valour, your strength lies not in being interesting and impressing others, but in living with intention and being impactful. Stop the chase—especially for people who make you question your worth(including your spouse). Invest in your growth. What is meant for you will find its way, without force or compromise. Sometimes, letting go is the most courageous act.”

Her words didn’t just land—they echoed. They reminded him of who he was before the applause, before the exhaustion. That moment cracked something open in him. He began the slow, painful, beautiful process of retracing his steps..

It hasn’t been easy. It meant saying no more often and letting go of people who only loved the performance. It meant sitting with himself in silence again, and this time, listening and seeing people for who they really are and appropriately matching energies.

But it has been worth it.

Because now, he speaks—not to impress, but to connect. He shows up—not to be seen, but to serve his purpose. He lives—not to be everything, but to be enough.

And in that, he is finding his voice again.

Reflectintrospection

What is your story?
Tired of being everything to everyone with little or no reciprocated energy?

You were created with purpose, not for performance.
Start walking in alignment and stop chasing applause. Cut the performance. Your energy is a valuable currency—spend it wisely by matching it up with the real and authentic!

Let go of the need to impress.

Embrace the call to impact.
Your soul knows the way—listen!

Serenity Prayer

Dear Lord,
Grant us the clarity to know our purpose,
The courage to stop performing for approval,
The wisdom to choose an impact over an impression,
And the peace to walk away from what drains us.
May our presence be rooted,
Our voices be true,
And our lives be lived with intention. Amen