"Given the proper combination of elements, dreams become spewing blowtorches of fuel, of oxygen and fire. The flame is constant and hot, paralyzing even in the warmth of its seduction. They have the power to ruin lives. Or to make a life unforgettably and without measure, extraordinary”
-Tammy Dooley author of the blog “Solo Road Trip”
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” — 1994 Inaugural Speech of Nelson Mandela
“Gonna change the world someday but you wonder where to start. Filling up the vacant spaces just being who you are. I know you’ve got it in you. There is nothing that you can’t do. Step out it’s a wide wide world. Don’t back down little girl”
-The Daylights
“Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow.” –Mary Anne Radmacher
The great philosopher Brittney Spears once said, “I’m not a girl, not yet a women.”
So I am a woman…for obvious reasons.
I’m old enough to vote
Check (although I haven’t)
I’m on my own
Check(-ish)
I have a job
Check
I make adult decisions
Check(-ish)
Post-grad and all, I’ve been introduced to the harsh world of reality with responsibility and possibility. I like to plan things out. Some people may not think of me as a planner, but I am constantly thinking of things like what will I do, how much will that cost, what do I need, how am I going to get it, how can I make this work. The questions and lists keep piling up until I just think of casting my dreams to the side, which leads me to avoid decision-making. I forget to take things a day at a time and find myself avoiding the long road ahead.
And I was thinking maybe the key to being a good adult …is to be more like a child. I know, I know, I’m not crazy. I’m not thinking of moving back in with my parents to relive the glory days or what-not but we can all learn something from children. They don’t hold back from dreaming or trusting. They are completely themselves. The world is full of possibilities and potential. They just dive right into the sea of life without any fear.
I know that this fear of failure is holding me back but I’ve just decided that I’m not going to let that happen.
No, I’m not going to read a self help book or 10 Steps to Success, but I have to acknowledge that fear of failure is a lack of faith and will only cause more failure. I don’t want to look back on my time here in California and think that I wasted any time lollygagging around where there is life and experiences to be had, potential to be met, and lessons to be learned. So I am going to go on towards Jesus, trusting that He has the best in store for me and He never fails. As long as I am regularly exposed to His radical love, I will be in the right place.
Won’t you join me in this race by saying no to fear and yes to dreams?
Mucho amour!
“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” Phil 1:6
So I have come to the realization that laughing can be even more satisfying when you stick your tongue out while you do it. It just oozes sophistication. My Jelly Belly buddies (the crew) have helped me to realize this. It also kinda helps if you tilt your head back as well. So next time you are in a fit of uncontrollable laughter, stick your tongue out and embrace a well-bred, refined and cosmopolitan level of snickering. Trust me....I live in California.
