Story

One of the most common feelings most of us have, especially earlier in life, is this sense of being lost. Sometimes it's after a big moment like a relationship that fell apart - other times it's a job we were let go from. The first time I remember feeling that way was the latter - I had just been laid off from the job I had moved to Los Angeles for. It was 2006 and I felt more alone than I ever had before.

My mind was racing on that drive home after I had been let go: Why did I come out here in the first place? Was I just not as talented as I had thought? Does everyone think I'm not smart?

Those first few days of sitting on my couch combing through Craigslist job postings were difficult. I applied for every job I could find, feeling even more defeated every time I'd log on my email and see no responses.

I came to realize that there are levels to self doubt. At first, it sort of starts off as you joking with yourself. "You sure know how to pick a good job!" my mind would say.

After a few weeks, however, the tone in my mind began to change. "You messed up. You should have gone to college, you should have cared more about a degree."

The furthest I got, however, was no more voice at all. I just felt lost. I had let my mind get the best of me and questioned every decision I had ever made up until that point, ultimately coming to the conclusion that I failed and there was no excuse.

Failure is a strange feeling. The greater the expectation of success, the more embarrassing the experience of failing. Our brains aren't really sure how to process things in these circumstances either. That relationship you thought would last forever just ended when your sweetheart told you they didn't feel the same way anymore. That company you dreamed of someday being the VP at decided you weren't a good fit and sent you packing with that embarrassing box of personal items as you march on the walk of shame.

We've all been there - we all know what it feels like to fall. But like Nelson Mandela said - " I never fail. I win or learn."

You might feel like you are in a weird place that you're not comfortable in right now. Maybe it's a place of embarrassment from things not going as planned, or a place of hurt from feeling rejected or let down. Whatever the case might be, my hope for this ZOX is simple: To remind you that you're exactly where you need to be.

Think about it like this. You don't get stronger if you don't lift heavier weight than you did before. You don't get over public speaking by talking in a room to yourself. Struggles make us who we are, and in learning to be grateful for each opportunity, even the ones where we fail, we come back stronger.

I love you guys - each and every one of you. I know sometimes things are scary because they're not what you're used to - change is something all of us are uncomfortable with. Just remember that we're still here, cheering you on each step of the way.

- Jason

Card Details

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.

-Lao Tzu

Artist

You're Exactly Where You Need to Be

Related Products