Twenty-five years ago today—May 26, 2000—I lost my mom to lung cancer. She was just 58 years old. I was 27. It was devastating. But amidst that loss, she gave me something that has shaped me every day since.
Her final words to me still echo with clarity and purpose:
“Keep showing up, son. And when you get there, step up.”
Simple. Powerful. Life-defining.
Those phrases became the foundation of my commitment—my commitment to life, to purpose, to people, and to pushing through, even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard. Like so many of us, I’ve had to restart again and again. A thousand small recommitments, moment by moment. But that’s where the growth happens—in the choosing, again and again, to show up and step up.
So today, I want to pass that invitation to you:
Where do you need to recommit in your life?
Where are you being called to show up more fully?
Where is it time to step up?
Maybe it’s at the dinner table—being present with the people you love.
Maybe it’s at work—bringing your best even when no one’s watching.
Maybe it’s in the quiet parts of your life where no one else sees—but you know you’re needed.
My mom always said: “You’ve got to keep showing up even when you don’t feel like it.”
And that’s where the magic happens. When we don’t feel like it—but do it anyway. That’s commitment in action.
You’ve probably heard me say this before:
The difference between 99% commitment and 100% commitment is not 1%. It’s exponential.
We can’t be 100% in every area, all the time. But we can pause and ask:
Where in my life am I not fully showing up? Where do I need step up, to fully commit 100%—all in?
This message means everything to me today. It’s rooted in love, in loss, and in the relentless pursuit of living a meaningful life.
So I ask you again:
Where do you need to show up and step up?
If this resonates, I’d love to hear your answer.
And to my mom—I’m endlessly grateful. ❤️
Here's a short video where I talk more about this experience and the power of showing up:
