Involve Me… And Understand the Steps Behind the Success

When people say they want to be involved, they usually mean something very different from what the journey actually requires. Most of the time, it’s not malice, it’s expectation. They see involvement as the finish line, not the miles walked to get there. They imagine the applause, the highlight reels, the smiles but rarely the sweat, the hidden pains, the mistakes, and the patience it takes to make it all happen.And honestly? I get it. Before life teaches you otherwise, it’s easy to think that growth is glamorous, that success looks effortless, and that being part of someone’s journey is all fun and games. But here’s the truth: the path behind the scenes is where the real story lives. That’s where the work, the endurance, and the lessons quietly happen long before anyone notices.This isn’t a story about blame, It’s about understanding, patience, and learning to appreciate the effort behind every journey. Let me take you back to a day that still stays with me not because it went wrong, but because it taught me something important about people, expectations, and myself.I was invited to an event as a delegate. I was supposed to represent an organization. When I got the message, I paused. It felt like one of those quiet opportunities not loud or flashy, but meaningful. I had never attended that particular event before, and I didn’t know what to expect, but I felt hopeful. Sometimes, the most important doors don’t announce themselves with noise. The event was posted publicly, my friend reached out, he said he wanted to go with me. He wanted to experience the space, to connect, to network. I understood where he was coming from, wanting to be part of something bigger is human. I agreed. But what he didn’t see and what many other people don’t see is the uncertainty behind the scenes.In the days leading up to the event, nothing was clear, I called the president and the organizers several times. Responses came slowly, Transportation details were unclear. There were moments when I wondered if everything would work out but this is how many opportunities begin; messy, uncertain, unfinished.On the morning of the event, we left the school with hope. There was talk of a free bus, so we waited, but time passed and the bus never came. By the time we realized it was gone, we were already running late. Standing there, weighing options, I made a decision that I would pay for his transport, not because I had excess, but because sometimes movement costs something and I saw him as someone passionate about the event. We began looking for a vehicle and eventually, we found one, I paid the fare for both of us and we got on the bus, hoping the rest of the trip would be simple.When we got off, we faced another reality again, there was supposed to be another way to get to the venue but we didn’t find any. No bus, no bike, no quick way to move forward. Waiting longer would only set us further back, and standing there felt like choosing to stay still instead of moving. So I suggested something straightforward: Let’s walk, walking isn’t new to me, I’ve done it many times, not because it’s easy but because it gets you where you need to go. Also, when you’re used to pursuing a goal, your body learns to endure before it learns to be comfortable. I also believe that as I'm working i need to walk too, "A walking work of an Arts" after a brief pause, he agreed. So, we walked, for about forty minutes.As we moved, I didn’t think much about it, my mind was focused on getting there on time, on showing up, on fulfilling the reason I was invited. Still, somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew this might already feel like too much for someone else. But we kept moving step after step, street after street, toward a place we both hoped would be worth the effort. When we finally arrived, I took a moment to look around. The venue was small, smaller than I imagined. The crowd was thin. The atmosphere was calm, not dead but not loud either. Activities were ongoing, but quietly. Even for me, it was a surprise, though that was my first time attending the event in that location and I had expectations too.About fifteen minutes after we arrived, my friend approached me, he wasn’t feeling it, he said the energy wasn’t right. The place didn’t feel valuable. It wasn’t what he imagined, I I listened, i understood him truly. From the outside, it didn’t look impressive. Not everyone is built to stay when things don’t immediately make sense. But at the same time, I knew why I was there. I had been invited, I had a role. I was meant to stay, to meet people, to collect materials, to represent something beyond myself. Yet I also felt responsible for the person who came with me. I couldn’t leave him uncomfortable or stranded.So I made another decision, I left early, I escorted him back even though it meant walking away from what I came for. Even though it meant sacrificing the reason I was invited in the first place.On the way back, I paid for the transport again covering both of us. By the time we got back to school, we met other friends. That was when the real experience began, the commentary started complaints about the walk,complaints about the time, complaints about the whole experience. People laughed, not because they were cruel, but because they didn’t see the full story. To them, it was just a funny moment. To me, it was something serious, something I had carried with intention, effort, and patience that had been reduced to entertainment. I simply stepped away, not in anger, but in disappointment and resolve. I will never pick up the weight of someone else’s journey just for them to treat it as a joke. I will never carry what isn’t appreciated. Some lessons don’t harden your heart, they teach it how to stand, choosing carefully what and who to carry, is not bitterness but wisdom. <img alt="The path to growth is rarely visible from the outside" src="/media/inline_insight_image/ChatGPT_Image_Jan_18_2026_11_15_09_PM.png" style="background-color: transparent;"/>That day stayed with me not as bitterness, but as awareness. Awareness that not everyone understands what it takes to be present, to endure, to show up before the reward is visible. Awareness that some lessons are learned not through celebration, but through patience, effort, and silent observation.It reminded me that involvement is not always about being seen. It’s about understanding, endurance, and integrity. And sometimes, the kindest thing you can do for yourself is to step back, reflect, and keep moving forward quietly, thoughtfully, without resentment.And then there was another lesson. A close friend reached out to me sometime later. He hadn’t gotten work in a while. He needed help, since I work with creative projects, I promised to include him when an opportunity came. When one did, I followed through, it was a video editing project, real responsibility, real deadline. I sent the brief details to him and he agreed. The first day passed, no delivery. He said he had no data. I sent him data. The next day passed, another challenge. He said he hadn’t eaten, I understood,I waited.By the third day, the deadline was close, so I did what I’ve learned to do, i carried it even though video editing isn’t my strongest skill, I sat down, struggled, learned on the spot, and delivered the work myself on time. To this day, that friend has never sent the work. Still, he asks to be involved, and this is where understanding deepens.It’s not that people are bad, It’s that not everyone is prepared for the weight behind the opportunity or achievements they admire. Some people see the door, they don’t see the stairs. Some see the room, they don’t see the walk. So when people ask now, “Why don’t you involve others anymore?” I don’t explain, because this isn’t about blame, it’s about boundaries.I’ve learned that being part of something requires endurance, patience, responsibility, and humility especially when the reward isn’t obvious at first.So when you see someone moving quietly, choosing carefully who to bring along, know that it’s not pride. It’s growth.Some lessons don’t harden the heart. They simply teach it how to navigate, how to recognize effort, and how to value commitment.And sometimes, taking a step back, walking alone, or moving quietly is not a rejection of others. It’s preparation for understanding, for wisdom, and for finding the people who are truly ready to share the journey.

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