I'm thankful to God that my life changed, but I'm also still on

In the words of the minstrel of our age, Tory Lanez, we hear a declaration both simple and profound: “I’m thankful to God that my life changed, but I’m also still on my grind.” This utterance is not a mere boast nor a fleeting thought. It is a testament to the eternal balance between gratitude and striving, between acknowledging the divine gift of transformation and the human responsibility to labor onward. To dwell upon this phrase is to discover a timeless teaching that echoes across generations, as old as the pyramids and as fresh as the dawn.

The first portion, “I’m thankful to God that my life changed,” is a hymn of thanksgiving. It recognizes that no mortal ascends alone. When the tides of fortune lift us, when suffering turns to triumph, it is not only by the strength of our arms, but also by the unseen hand of Providence. Here the artist bows before that invisible hand, acknowledging that his path was altered not merely by his will, but by grace bestowed. Such humility is rare among men, for in victory many forget the source of their strength. To give thanks is to remain tethered to truth, to remember that blessings are never born from pride but from favor.

Yet the second part, “but I’m also still on my grind,” speaks with fire, like the war-cry of an ancient warrior. Though his life has changed, though the storm has quieted and the feast is set before him, he does not lay aside his sword. He does not let sleep claim him on the field of destiny. This is the teaching of perseverance: that blessings are not an end, but a beginning. One may win a battle, but the war of life still rages. The wise man, therefore, rejoices yet continues his march, lest complacency undo him. Gratitude and striving are not opposites; they are twin pillars upon which greatness rests.

History bears witness to this truth. Consider the tale of Nelson Mandela, who, after 27 years of imprisonment, walked free into a world that greeted him as a hero. He could have rested in the sweetness of freedom, praising God that his life had changed. But he did not cease his labor. He remained on his grind, forging peace in a nation torn apart, uniting tribes once divided by hate. His gratitude was immense, but his perseverance greater still. In his story, we see the embodiment of Lanez’s words: thankfulness for change, yet relentless pursuit of the work ahead.

This duality of spirit—thankful yet tireless—is the very essence of the heroic life. Many men stumble because they embrace only one half. Some give thanks but grow idle, resting too long upon their laurels until decay overtakes them. Others grind without gratitude, their toil hollow and joyless, their souls enslaved to endless striving without peace. But when both gratitude and effort walk hand in hand, the man becomes unshakable, like a mountain rooted deep, yet rising higher each day.

Let us draw from this teaching a lesson for our own lives: when fortune smiles upon you, do not forget the Giver. Speak words of thanksgiving, for in them your soul finds humility. Yet do not let gratitude make you passive. Rise each dawn with strength, and take your place in the labor of your calling. For life is both a gift and a duty. It asks us to rejoice in what we receive, but also to sweat, bleed, and strive for what is yet to come.

Practical wisdom flows from this. Begin each day with a moment of thanks, whether whispered in prayer or spoken aloud to the heavens. Then, set your hand to the plow, your mind to the task, and your heart to the journey before you. Do not wait for perfect conditions; do not rest long upon your victories. Let gratitude fuel your grind, and let your grind honor your gratitude. In this balance, you shall find joy, endurance, and the making of a legacy.

Thus, the words of Tory Lanez echo as a teaching for the ages: Give thanks when your life changes, but never stop the work. For it is through this harmony that men transform not only their own destiny, but the destiny of all who come after them. And in this harmony, the soul finds its noblest song.