Dear Mama,
I'd like to ask you a few questions today:
What do you want?
What is holding you back?
What do you believe?
We all want something. And I don't mean like a big bank account and some nachos (although I would not be opposed to either, personally); I'm talking about the deeper cravings that stir your soul - the kind that will require you to step out of your comfort zone and take some action. Is there something you want to do, experience, or change? Do you have big dreams that seem out of reach? It can be something physical like wanting to run a marathon or climb a mountain (or for my mamas, give birth whatever way you want). Or maybe you feel a nudge in your heart towards a different career or new opportunity that seems out of left field, but you can't stop thinking about it. Perhaps you just want to take time for yourself, to discover your abilities, tap into your purpose, or just be a better human - kinder, more patient, more generous, more present.
So what's keeping you from doing those things? Are you afraid to fail? To leave something sure for the unknown? That it will cost too much or be too hard? Are you worried about what others might say? Do you feel you just don't have time? To sum it up, fear is often what keeps us from pursuing what we want. Fear is a liar. It tells us we're not capable, that it's too big for us, that we'll never get there. Fear can be considered False Evidence Appearing Real (youth group shoutout). But fear can also be considered an opportunity to Face Everything And Rise.
That's right: in the face of opposition, we can refuse to listen to the negative things and instead be fueled to transcend beyond them. Nothing feels better than doing something you once thought was impossible.
And as far as having time goes, as an adult I have found that time isn't something any of us just "have". We must be intentional and make time for anything that's important to us.
Growing up is hard.
And then finally, what do you believe about yourself?
This one might make you uncomfortable a bit. I don't think any one of us wants to write down the negative things we think about ourselves and wear them around like a scarlet letter. But there are ideas we all have about ourselves that can hold us back from what we want. We may be on the cusp of obtaining the very things we dream about, but allow ourselves to get in our own way. I'm not strong enough. I'm not smart enough. I'm not brave enough. I'm not ___________ enough.
Let's all just agree that enough is enough with the "enough" (say that three times fast).
Seriously. We are ALL already enough, in both our best and worst moments. Of course we all have room for improvement and growth, but we are all created with purpose, and we all have something to contribute. We can all start right where we are. The very things we think disqualify us may be what actually qualifies us all the more.
I thought practicing affirmations was a little weird when initially suggested to me, but found that they helped me begin to believe the truth about myself and carry that confidence into what I want to do, how I see myself, and how I interact with others. I may not always feel it, but I believe it. Feelings aren't facts. Our feelings change; truth does not. Don't be afraid to believe good things about yourself. Also, don't be afraid to write some of those good things down and tape them to your mirror until you actually believe them, too.
So here are some additional questions:
Are you open to living your life more abundantly?
How would you approach what you want if you knew how it turns out - that you'd be successful?
How will you feel at the end of your life if you don't pursue the desires of your heart?
Take a second and determine what it is that you truly want in this life.
Identify what's holding you back.
Consider what you say about yourself, and choose to stand on truth.
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Ephesians 2:10
2 Peter 1:3-11
Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves, When our dreams have come true Because we have dreamed too little, When we arrived safely Because we sailed too close to the shore.
…
Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wider seas
Where storms will show Your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.
We ask You to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push into the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love.
- Sir Francis Drake