What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to do? Come on, think about it- one thing that you think would make you the happiest person in the world? Dig deep on this one and think of something you just don’t think you are even capable of going after……. That thing is the one thing you HAVE TO PROMISE YOURSELF TO TRY!!!
Just a little background story, I remember years ago (2 to be exact), I was watching “Eat, Pray, Love” and couldn’t stop thinking of how badly I yearned to just be. I wanted to be free and just eat everything I thought looked good without having to worry about gaining weight. I wanted to dance to the sound of good music everywhere I went. I imagined myself being a weirdo in the grocery store doing the robot in the potato chip aisle listening to Bruno Mars “Treasure”. I even imagined myself packing up and moving across the country into a super sassy condo on the beach where I could wake up to palm trees and super fit joggers with headphones in and a water bottle in hand. I imagined all these things while watching the movie and then I had an epiphany.
In that very moment, I thought to myself “What do I really want to do? “…….. The only thing I had always been super passionate about was empowering and sharing my story with people. I knew I wanted to write a book, but I knew there had to be a more immediate way of sharing thoughts, encouragement, quotes, and anything else positive that came to mind. I’ve always had a way with words and I’ve always been good at expressing myself to people. Then it hit me……. I wanted to blog! I wanted an instant connection to women of the world whom I may never meet but who possibly have experienced similar heartbreaks, diet struggles, have similar fashion styles, or girls who just needed a boost every day. I knew I HAD TO BLOG!
Then, as we always do as women, I started to analyze things. How can I blog if I didn’t go to college for journalism? Is my story even interesting enough for anyone to want to hear what I have to say? I’m just a Columbus girl, Relationship banking Manager, with a Master’s Degree who enjoys working out and reading books, I’m not even popular enough for anyone to care what I write? That very second I knew all I could do is pray! I had to ask for courage and strength to believe in myself and just go for it. I spent 2 years blogging and posting pictures and truthfully never even knew who read my post, but it made me feel good. I was encouraged to continue because I felt good about sharing a piece of my inner gift with the world. This realization reassured me that this is what I should be doing. I didn’t care about pay, didn’t care about recognition, I started writing because it FELT GOOD.
So now ladies, I’m encouraging you to GO FOR IT! Whatever that annoying butterfly in your heart is telling you to do, listen and do it. Here are a few helpful practices to get you going…..
1. Spend time alone and see what makes you smile
2. Find the one thing you make a priority to do each day
3. Ask yourself if you could do one thing and money wasn’t an issue, what would you do?
4. Make a list of happy words
5. Ask your closest friends what they see in you
6. Have a small supporting cast who supports everything you do and always has an encouraging word about your dreams
I’ve learned in life that whatever you want can be yours; you just have to get out of your own way. I wanted to live in another state, so I moved to Kentucky for college. I wanted to have a fun 2 months, so me and my best friend went and took a bartender certification class. I wanted to make new friends, so I joined a hot fitness studio. I was inspired by new ideas, so I became addicted to Pinterest. Basically, the point I’m trying to make is we only have one life. Who created the rule that we can only do ONE THING, HAVE ONE MAN, COMMIT TO ONE PROFESSION, and PURSUE ONE DREAM? Who made that rule? NOBODY WHO MATTERS EVER SAID THAT! Learn yourself! Explore YOU! Try something different! Go sit down in a silent corner and follow the steps above and just go for it. I believe in you….. Don’t get in your own way!