What are you waiting for?
As children, we couldn’t wait until we were allowed to cross the street by ourselves. We longed for the day we finally left elementary school, then we prayed to escape middle school. We dreamed of walking the halls of the high school, of becoming oh-so-cool upperclassmen. But until then, we feared we’d wither and die before we were allowed to wear makeup, go on a date, stay out past ten, drive the family minivan.
The thing about all of these things is that they required permission, either from parents, the school, or the law.
Even though those days are long behind us, I fear we have kept the mindset. We’re still waiting for someone to give us permission to be ourselves, to follow our dreams, to make changes in our lives.
It’s time to stop waiting for permission. It’s past time to step out of our comfort zones and into the terrifying free-fall of following our dreams.
If you’re a writer, write. Don’t wait for someone to tell you that you can or should write. Chances are, nobody will. It’s a decision you must make. And an action only you can take. It’s the same with art, or singing or photography or starting a business or getting fit or any other dream that beckons from the horizon.
Nobody is going to give you permission. You have to give yourself permission. And that’s where many of us get stuck.
Without realizing it, we’re still waiting for someone to tell us it’s okay to do this.
Stop waiting. Take that first step.
Don’t waste another minute. Now, today, take one teeny tiny step toward your goal, lean a bit closer to that seemingly impossible dream that’s been whispering in your heart for too long.
Just one step. Today.
I hope you’ll let me know what it is, won’t you? I’d love to cheer you on!
Hi Connie, I do feel like I’m waiting for permission to publish! LOL! It’s a good point though. Since most writers have a day job and other responsibilities, it’s far too easy to let writing go on the back burner. Do something every day to pursue your goals, writing or otherwise. Eventually, it will add up to victory! I do have to add that one thing most of us were forced to do as children, take a nap, is something I would love to be given permission to do more often as an adult! Ha!
I love your encouraging, persistent attitude, Jan! I do believe it will lead to victory. And I’m right with you on the nap thing. 🙂
Great post Connie. It’s very hard moving forward, but I keep trying. I was told once “If you do what you’ve always done, you will get what you always got.” I definitely don’t want that! Though I’m with Jan on the nap thing. I’ll even supply my own mat at work!
Thanks, Lorna. Oh yes, we don’t want what we’ve always had when it comes to our writing!
Creative nappers unite!
As I look back over this past year, I see it was a time of big steps…writing, social media, setting up a website, etc. Tomorrow is a day of new beginnings,new goals, new steps and new adventure. I have heard the message recently to step out of the box, do the hard thing, and get out of my comfort zone. Thanks for your encouraging post. Blessings to you, your work and your writing.
Thank you, Elaine! And the same to you. I’m excited for all the opportunities you are getting ready to step into. I hope you’ll keep me posted on how it goes…
Connie