Last night, I read this:

If you take a step out of your comfort zone and try something new in pursuit of your dream, it either will work out, or it won’t. That’s a 50% chance of success. If you do nothing, there’s a 100% chance you won’t succeed in pursuing your dream. (Paraphrased from Quitter by Jon Acuff)

On my way to work today, I heard this:

“Feels like there’s nothing that I can’t try…” (I’m Coming Home: Diddy, featuring Skylar Grey)

I guess my senses are heightened at the moment to the concept of “trying” something new. Still, I do think I’m getting a lot of signals through the airwaves. Including these two.

What I read in Acuff’s book affirmed an ancient truth I’ve known for my entire life of loving sports. “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” This is just true, true, true.

Meanwhile, the hip hop lyric, which I’ve heard a thousand times, today clearly ran up against another mantra I’ve held dear. For the longest time, I’ve locked in on what the great philosopher and light saber wielder Yoda once told Luke Skywalker: “Do or do not. There is no try.”

So, yes, I know that I’m debating whether to trust in the wisdom of a tiny, green, backward-talking fictional Jedi or go with a single lyric from a hip-hop artist that changes his name like it was a television channel. I’m not arguing that I’m on shaky ground here. But I think there’s some great insight to be had in what P. Puff Daddy, Diddy, Diddy Money, Sean, Sean Puffy Combs, had to say in this song.

It feels like a very careful word choice. Maybe it was just convenient that it rhymed with “put yo hands high” but I think it was intentional. He didn’t say, “Feels like there’s nothing that I can’t DO.” He said “TRY”.

I’m sorry Yoda. I love you man.  But as motivational as your call to action is, I think Diddy got it right this time. There’s a space between doing it and not doing it. And it’s called trying it. It’s that moment when you step out in faith and give it a shot. That’s where I’m teetering. Leaning in to try. Still wrestling with what it is I’m supposed to try. Maybe it’s as simple as trying to trust. Guess I’ll see soon enough. Hopefully!