The time is now. The time can not be "when I get the chance".... Why wait? What if the chance never comes because you've waited too long for it, and now there is no chance...because it's too late? That place is too far? You can't afford it right now? You're not good at something like that? When the kids grow up, then it might happen? Those are all understandable thoughts. Some of them are excuses, some of them are realities you simply can't get past... yet. So then what are you going to do about it? For me, the farthest I have ever traveled is the tippity top of the east coast. Great trip. Can't wait to do it again. For me, it's not far enough. I want to go EVERYWHERE. I didn't grow up with those opportunities. Many people grew up like me, many people didn't. Does that mean I was never meant to travel the world or have a talent birthed within me? Does that mean maybe I just haven't had the chance yet? I don't believe for one minute it was the former. We only get one life. I surely don't want to remain where I am now until I die. Do you? Some people like living and staying put in one place their entire lives. This post is obviously not written for them (no offense intended), but maybe they can humor me while I write about the rest of us - those of us that have buttons about to pop off our clothes because we need to get out and GO...DO....
Where do you want to go? What do you want to do? What are you doing about it right now? We have to make a plan and take it one step at a time, and we must give ourselves the leniency to unfold this plan over the next 1-3 years. It takes time saving money and drawing up the blueprints for big dreams to happen. It takes courage to keep walking toward them. I always tell my students, "If you truly want something bad enough, then you'll do whatever it takes to get it." I have to follow my own advice. I dream of indulging in pastries, cheese, and wine at authentic cafes in France. I want to ride my bike on the dirt roads in Italy, walk through fields of tall, green, swaying grass blades in Ireland, and be mesmerized by gothic structures in Prague. I want to go to countries and be knocked to my knees in humility (don't we all need that a little bit in our lives?) by lending my hands and heart to those in true dire need. On the other hand, I want to sell custom-made jewelry and make a great business out of it. I want to volunteer again in the neonatal nursery at a local hospital. At the very least, I want to be able to actually grow a plant to its fullness without killing it along the way.
Sure, some might say, "Keep dreamin', sister"...but you know what? Poopoo on that comment!! That's EXACTLY what I will do, and while I'm at it, start setting things in motion to make those dreams come true. It's all in the approach. How bad do I want it to happen? I can't wait any more. The urgency of those dreams is forcing me to act. Do you have dreams? Do you want to go somewhere, do something unique? Start putting things in order, however small those things might be because eventually they shall grow and become fruitful. The time is now.
NEXT WEEK: Rude (possibly Part 1)
