Have you ever stopped and wondered for a brief moment about if people really pay attention to you? Do they really look up to you? Do they notice you? If you think about it long enough, it might amaze you. Yes, people pay attention to you even when you think no one does. Yes, they look up to you for your actions. Yes, people notice you when you least expect it. If you're genuinely being yourself and setting out to be yourself, then people will notice that and want to do the same. All of us do it every day when we look up to our favorite celebrities, entrepreneurs and athletes. I'm here to tell you that that same concept can be applied on an even smaller scale. You can be the one someone looks up to at your workplace, home, school, or anywhere where you're surrounded by people. When you lead by example, people begin to notice. People are always looking for someone to look up to, to follow, to give them guidance and to give them hope. People tend to pay even more attention to someone when they are hit by adversity. How someone chooses to respond to their personal challenges can end up being the answer to someone else's problem. It all boils down to a choice. Do you want to be someone that people look up to? Do you want to give others hope through your actions?

I personally decided a long time ago that I wanted to be one of those people. I wanted to be someone people looked up to. I wanted to give hope to those who thought they couldn't make it. I want people to look at the adversity that I have personally faced and take something from it. That's why I do a lot of the things I do. That's why I want to be the best I can be. That's why I work so hard in every aspect of my life. I want to be that equalizer. Although I have only had the chance to be that example for people in my basketball and academic career within my small hometown, I hope that one day I can be that person to a much bigger audience.

There's no better feeling than going somewhere and someone approaches you and says they know who you are, but you've never met them before. Before you can even make an attempt to ask who they are, they begin to tell you how great you are and how you've impacted them or someone they know. It gives you this grateful and blessed feeling. It makes you want to work even harder and find new ways to impact people. A wise man once told me, "Always be the best that you can be no matter what you are doing, because you never know who is watching. There is always someone out there looking for a blessing. You never want to miss out on the opportunity to be a blessing to someone else." I never knew how much this meant to me until I started seeing it in action.

So, my friends, I encourage you to be the best you can be all the time. You truly never know who is watching from the distance. They could like you or hate you, but you'll still be leaving your mark on them. Be a blessing to someone. Never forget there are always eyes in disguise.