Knowing the Path vs. Walking the Path: The Moment You Step Into Your Potential

"There’s a difference between knowing the path and walking the path." – Morpheus, The Matrix

We’ve all had moments when someone tells us we have potential. Maybe a teacher, a mentor, or even a close friend recognized something in us before we fully saw it ourselves. But there’s a vast difference between hearing about our potential and actually stepping into it.

The Spark of Recognition

Sometimes, the path is revealed to us long before we’re ready to walk it. When I was in 8th grade, my social studies teacher wrote in my yearbook: "I expect an invitation to the White House when you become president."

It wasn’t just a compliment—it was an expectation. He saw something in me that, at the time, I hadn’t fully realized myself. He believed in my potential for greatness. And yet, at 13 years old, I didn’t truly understand what that meant. I had intelligence, curiosity, and ambition, but I wasn’t actively shaping my future. I was just following the path laid out in front of me—absorbing lessons, completing assignments—without yet questioning what lay beyond the structured education I was given.

The First Steps Toward Purpose

Years later, another voice echoed the same sentiment. A friend told me he could see me writing a magazine. At the time, I enjoyed writing, but I hadn’t considered journalism or media as a serious path. But something about his words sparked something deeper—an idea. That passing conversation planted a seed, and over time, it grew into a vision. And that vision wasn’t just about writing—it was about impact.

At the time, I was frustrated with how Black people were portrayed in media. The primary network dedicated to Black entertainment did little to inspire, often reinforcing harmful stereotypes rather than challenging them. It felt like there was no real representation of the depth, ambition, and brilliance of our culture.

So when my friend suggested a magazine, the pieces fell into place. This wasn’t just about creativity or entrepreneurship—it was about purpose. About creating something that uplifted young Black people and gave them a reflection of something greater.

But ideas alone aren’t enough. Even after that moment of inspiration, I still had to develop the skills, make the mistakes, and take the risks. And what I learned along the way was this—sometimes, others see your potential before you fully do. And not everyone wants to see you rise.

When Others See Your Potential—And Fear It

Every moment of dissatisfaction in corporate life wasn’t just about the work itself—it was about being placed in environments where my potential was seen, but not embraced.

Time and time again, I found myself in situations where my capabilities were undeniable. I wasn’t just doing my job—I was excelling, problem-solving, anticipating needs before they even arose. And those around me noticed. I had colleagues who recognized my talent, who encouraged me to lead, to take on more, to rise.

But those with power? They saw it, too. And instead of fostering it, they limited it.

👉 A senior leader once praised my work ethic—until I asked for compensation that reflected my value. Instead of elevation, I was given excuses. Instead of recognition, I was met with resistance.

👉 Another manager leveraged my skills for the department’s success—but when the opportunity for promotion arose, I was overlooked in favor of someone less experienced, someone who wouldn’t challenge the status quo.

These weren’t just moments of professional frustration. They were moments of clarity. I realized that waiting for permission, for validation, for the “right” opportunity—was a losing game. My path wasn’t in being chosen by them. My path was in choosing myself.

The Struggle of Misalignment

For years, I pursued the traditional path because that’s what I was taught success looked like. I worked hard, excelled, and did everything “right.” And yet, at every turn, I was met with resistance.

The truth is, every time I tried to fit into a structure that wasn’t built for me, I was met with obstacles. Not because I lacked ability, but because I was never meant to stay there.

👉 I fought for positions that were never going to be given to me.

👉 I worked twice as hard for recognition that would never come.

👉 I stayed in places that drained me instead of elevating me.

And yet, when I finally stopped chasing what wasn’t mine and started aligning with my true path, things shifted. The resistance faded. Opportunities came—sometimes from places I never expected.

The Illusion of Potential Without Action

A lot of people stay stuck in the stage of knowing their potential. They have talent. They have vision. They might even have passion. But they never take the leap.

Why? Because it’s easier to dream than to do.

🛑 Walking the path means risking failure.

🛑 It means stepping outside of comfort and safety.

🛑 It means being willing to struggle, to refine, and to grow through action—not just contemplation.

But for some, it’s not just fear that holds them back. It’s exhaustion.

🛑 When you’ve been overlooked, dismissed, and undervalued for so long, you start to believe it.

🛑 When doors keep closing, you stop knocking.

🛑 When the system was never built for you, it’s easy to think you don’t belong anywhere.

That’s the deeper illusion—when people are beaten down so much that they stop trying. They stop believing. They settle into the idea that life is just about survival, not fulfillment. But the truth is, no matter how long you’ve been told otherwise, your path still exists. And it’s still waiting for you to walk it.

Walking the Path, One Step at a Time

For those who do break free from the illusion, the next step is action. The hardest part isn’t seeing the truth—it’s deciding what to do with it. And when I finally stopped waiting and started moving, the path became clear.

Each frustration was another signpost saying: This is not where you belong. And when I finally accepted that, when I started taking action toward building something of my own, everything started to align.

The Zenicist Perspective: Clarity, Peace, Purpose

In Zenicism, true peace comes from clarity—seeing the illusions for what they are. And one of the greatest illusions people fall into is the idea that potential alone is enough. But the truth is:

✨ Clarity is recognizing the path.

✨ Peace is embracing the journey without fear.

✨ Purpose is walking the path with intention.

When you stop waiting for the ‘perfect moment’ and start moving forward—even in uncertainty—you stop simply knowing your potential and start living it. And that is what makes all the difference.