For the Weary Startup Souls

My grandmother would sing the hymn, “Yield Not,” on Sunday mornings, while preparing our breakfast before church.

“Yield not to temptation,
For yielding is sin;
Each victory will help you
Some other to win;
Fight manfully onward;
Dark passions subdue;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through.”

As a 7-year-old kid waiting for hot biscuits to come out of the oven, the song was just one of many that my grandmother would hum-sing as she meandered through the kitchen. But I heard the song on the radio on Sunday and thought of her, her biscuits, and the meaning.

Since starting EveryBody, I’ve wanted to quit many times or yield to the notion that maybe the idea just wasn’t good enough. “I don’t have the budget.” “I don’t have the technical skills to build this.” “The fitness space is too crowded.” “I’m a black woman, nobody will want to use this.” “I can’t build EveryBody and work full-time; when will I sleep?” (I’m currently typing this with my head on my pillow) To yield to my doubts would be “sinful.” Not in a fire-and-brimstone sort of way, but if I don’t keep pushing (fighting womanfully onward) I could miss out on very important lessons. Lessons that will help me toward future victories, like launching.

The hymn also reminds me to have faith, keep up the faith. This Saturday is the EveryBody launch video shoot. Found out it was supposed to snow on Friday, so the idea of any outdoor shots is probably over. Three of the eight women I confirmed last week have backed out. And the camera guy called to tell me he has a photo shoot (it’s paying more than I am so I get it…) on Saturday so he’ll be late. How late? Who knows? On top of this, I’m trying to send three <E-newsletters a week, which includes designing the graphics, writing content, finding/creating the GIFs. Oh and my 9-to-5.

I am weary. I would like to yield and get my weekends back. I would like to yield and live-tweet Empire like the rest of America. I would like to yield so that I can enjoy things like sleep.

It is in these moments where faith calls me to remember that there is a greater power within me. And with that power, I can do all things. I am thankful for hearing that song on the radio and for my grandmother who quietly fed me faith that I could hold onto along the way.

I’m about to pass the collection plate but before I do that, go ahead and sign up for free fitness workouts shaped for you → join.fitforeverybody.co.