It's Not Easy... But You're Not Alone
Nov 07, 2025
Written By Bart Berkey | Most People Don't
Life isn’t easy.
Not for me
“Life isn’t a bed of roses.”
“It’s not always sunshine and rainbows.”
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
“Fall down seven times, get up eight.”
“No pain, no gain.”
"Life is full of ups and downs."
Maybe it's not easy for you either, or maybe it's not easy for someone you know?
Maybe it's not easy for any of us?
And yet, most people walk around pretending it is.
“How are you?”
“Fine!...Great thank you...Couldn't be better! Wonderful, and 'Perfect', according to most of our social media posts too, right?”
Most People Don’t admit the weight they’re carrying.
Most People Don’t raise their hand.
Most People Don’t ask for help.
This week, I was powerfully reminded that people are carrying things you can't see, and they need someone to see them, and I did.
During my keynote presentation to a room full of executives, once again, tears welled up when I looked individuals in the in the eye & handed them a gratitude stone and simply said, “I'm proud of you.”
Afterward, messages started rolling in:
“I didn’t think I needed to hear that, but I actually did.”
“This feeling will stay with me for a very long time.”
“This has been enlightening for me during a time when I felt darkness.”
The simple act of looking people in the eye, caused them to feel seen and acknowledged, it unleashed real emotion.
Most People Don’t admit the weight they’re carrying.
Most People Don’t delegate.
Most people Don’t ask for help.
We push through work, family, fitness, finances, uncertainty, politics, expectations, and everything swirling in our minds, all while acting like we’re “fine.”
But, I was reminded in the most powerful way during this week’s keynote presentation to a large group of executives, that people are often carrying things you can’t see, and they desperately need someone to see them.
Almost instantly after I stepped off that stage, the messages started rolling in.
“I didn’t think I needed to hear that, but based on my tears, I actually did.”
“This feeling will stay with me for a very long time.”
“This has been enlightening for me during a time when I felt darkness.”
- “It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard… is what makes it great.” — A League of Their Own
A lesson I learned in person:
A few months ago, in NYC, I stopped for a homeless man whose cardboard sign said, “I might as well be invisible.”
I handed him a gratitude stone and said, “I see you.”
He broke down, not from the stone, but from being noticed.
In that moment, I wasn’t thinking about myself.
I wasn’t thinking about the “bad news” I just received by text.
I was focused on him.
I looked him in the eye.
I handed him a gratitude stone.
I said, “I see you.”
And he broke down.
Not because of the stone.
Not because of the gesture.
But because being seen is powerful and healing.
His name was Q.
And all he wanted was to be seen.
Not saved. Not fixed. Seen.
A lesson learned on stage:
During a keynote presentation this week, I felt it again.
I noticed a somewhat nervous first-timer sitting alone.
Maybe she didn’t feel important enough to be noticed.
I also noticed a quiet attendee who I believed could benefit from someone telling them, “You’re doing great.”
I'm not sure why or how, but I can sense it.
During my presentations, I deliberately look individuals in the eye, I inspire, I motivate, I deliver kindness, I give encouragement, and I hand out gratitude stones,
Something changes, it always does.
People change.
I can see it.
They often tell me they feel an emotional release.
This feeling comes when a person finally feels supported.
Being a Leader, Manager, CEO, Executive who is strong can be exhausting.
And pretending everything is easy, can be even more exhausting.
It’s not easy.
For most of us.
This Was a First:
I've been delivering keynote speeches to groups of high level executives, and audiences large and small, for nearly 10 years.
During my entire speaking career, this was the first time I spontaneously concluded my presentation during an exercise. I asked the audience to look each other in the eye, and sincerely say, "You're Doing Great", to each other, which is not uncommon.
But this time, I literally walked off the stage, and knew their was nothing more I needed to say.
The sound from the audience was awesome, I could not only hear, but feel the energy shift. There was nothing more I needed to say, this is was powerful and where I instinctively an spontaneously chose to end my presentation. Powerful.
For the first time, I did not feel the need to hear the applause when I concluded.
Gratefully, I've experienced the pleasure of a standing ovation several times in my life, but it was nowhere near the joy that I felt during this powerful interaction.
It provided the social proof of my message.
EVERYONE IN THAT ROOM was SUPPORTIVE OF EACH OTHER.
"It's not EASY, but YOU'RE Not Alone".
When life gets hard, find someone who can help.
Sometimes we hide.
Sometimes we isolate.
Sometimes convince ourselves that everyone else has it easier.
They don’t.
And you don’t have to carry everything alone.
“It’s Not Easy, but....”
After my presentation, people told me that they needed to hear this the most this week.
It’s not easy… but you can do it.
It’s not easy… but you are stronger than you think.
It’s not easy… but you can ask for help.
It’s not easy… but you can raise your flag.
It’s not easy… but you can let someone see you.
It’s not easy… but you are not alone.
Life may not be easy...
But connection makes it better.
Kindness makes it bearable.
And being seen makes it meaningful.
You Are Doing Great!
Do you need to hear it again?
You Are Doing Great!
Not because everything is perfect.
Not because everything is easy.
But because you’re still here.
You are still trying.
You are still caring.
You are still giving, even when you’re tired.
You are still showing up, even when you’re unsure.
You are still helping others, even when you’re the one who needs help.
You Are Doing Great!
If you need to hear it again, any time...
I'll tell you. Send me a note, I'll tell you again.
You are not alone, and you never were.
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Most People Don't...but YOU Do!
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