The Thing You Most Want—Can You Do It?

Everyone is on their own journey.

On this journey, there are things we’d like to see along the road, and there are things we need to find. Life happens, and even the most mundane day-to-day task is part of going along the trip. What makes it special, however, is what we choose to do from the heart in between all the things we must do. You know which things right? The ones that make all the difference.

But what happens when we use life as an excuse to actually do what we want to do? The things that make us happy. The things that make us feel fulfilled? The thing that is yours alone and not something you do for others?

What happens when we decide that because it’s so intimate and so personal, it isn’t important enough to prioritize? Surely, it isn’t as important as keeping your house clean. Or getting that huge promotion at work, taking a long nap, or being there 100% of the time with your family . . . let’s be honest, no one can do that. Even me—who feels that being a mom trumps everything—I love my family, but I need a break from time to time.

Surely, your dreams and passions aren’t more important. Right? I mean, look at that person over there following the same dream and being successful at it. There’s no way you’d match up . . . or keep up . . . or ever have the same accomplishments. Are you even good enough?

Well . . . everyone is on their own journey.

While on the long road we need to remember a few things: we’re all on different phases of our lives. We may take a while to visit all the places we want or to accomplish all our goals, and we’ll fail a million times. But if it’s important enough, we’ll work for it, and we’ll at least try. And if you haven’t realized it yet, this is another one of my pep talks to myself.

While thinking about why I’m failing at making my dreams a reality, I remembered something I used to tell myself. It’s harsh and doesn’t take into account life’s demands, but it’s true. I want to say it here in case you need to read it, too: you do what you want. No, I mean that:

You DO what you WANT.

If something is truly important to you, you find the time to do it. You fight for it. You sacrifice sleep (this one hurts), and you make it a priority. You make you a priority.

Which is why I wish that along your journey you find COURAGE.

Courage to pursue your most intimate dreams. And courage to stand up to those who try to stop you. Courage, especially, to stand up to yourself. Because we’re undoubtedly our worst enemies.