Few quotes say so much in so few words. Upstormed founder Jonathan Anthony Burkett wrote it in his memoir, Neglected But Undefeated, and readers all over the world have been sharing it ever since:

“You know my name, not my story. You’ve heard what I’ve done, but not what I’ve been through.”
— Jonathan Anthony Burkett

Jonathan wrote those words out of his own life: a childhood marked by neglect, homelessness as a teenager, and a brain surgery in 2005, all before he built a life as an author, songwriter and entrepreneur. Here are five lessons this one quote can teach every one of us.

1. Everyone is carrying something

The coworker who snapped at you. The neighbor who never smiles. The relative who keeps their distance. You know their names, but you may not know their stories. A little curiosity can turn irritation into understanding.

2. Actions have roots

What people do grows out of what they have been through. That doesn’t excuse harm, but it helps us respond with wisdom instead of only anger. When we understand the root, we can help people heal instead of only condemning them.

3. Don’t let others define you by your worst day

If people have only heard about your mistakes, remember this: your story is bigger than your lowest moment. You are allowed to grow. Jonathan was neglected, but as his book title says, he stayed undefeated.

4. Your story has power

Telling the truth about what you’ve survived can set someone else free. Jonathan’s honesty about his life has given countless readers the courage to face their own pain and keep going.

5. Faith carries us through

In the same memoir, Jonathan wrote, “Faith is why I’m here today and faith is why I made it through.” Whatever your story holds, you don’t have to walk through it alone.

“For man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

Pass it on

Share this quote with someone who needs to hear it today, and please keep the author’s name with it: Jonathan Anthony Burkett. Want the full story behind it? Read the meaning behind the quote on Jonathan’s blog, or get Neglected But Undefeated on Amazon.

Which of these five lessons speaks to you most? Tell us in the comments.