Know That...

I'm sitting here waiting on the kids (my boys and my little nephews) to finish up their stations at the Junior League's "Kids in the Kitchen." They held a pilot parents' session hosted by a local catering company and it sparked this blog. So while I have a precious moment to myself I'm going to share some things with you all.

This year I haven't shared my goals, visions, and dreams for 2014 and beyond. The last week has been full of incidents that seem to be spurring me forward in the direction of my goals. I have been stalling. I have been knocking the wind out of my own sail because I'm a little bit afraid of the journey. Not very warrior like of me, I know. Does a true warrior look down the road toward the battle and say, "Naaaahhhh, I'm not ready to give what's required to win." That is not a warrior. 

We all fear things. We all face obstacles and have to decide how we deal with them. Some of us try to ignore them but there is a cost to that. Some of us try to quietly go another route to avoid them, but there is a cost to that. The greatest risk and the greatest reward is to face the obstacle head-on. To conquer it. How much greater is the victory in conquering than in shirking? 

Some of you may have set resolutions (or goals) at the start of the New Year. And at this point, almost thirty days in, you may feel like the goal is just too big or just too hard. You may find yourself feeling like whatever you hoped to gain is not meant for you. Before you write yourself off as a failure, I want to encourage you to just keep at it. You may have to revise the plan and it may take longer than you initially hoped, but don't give up. Don't be afraid and don't let the struggle deter you from victory. Go move the mountain!

• Know that change takes time. So be realistic about your deadlines and time frames.
• Know that change requires CHANGE. You cannot expect change if you don't actually CHANGE some things. 
• Know that change requires consistency. You don't get lasting change with sporadic action. Be consistent--not perfect.
• Know that change is scary. Change is risk and requires something of us, which is scary. Move past your fear.
• Know that change requires support. Connect with people or groups that will support your efforts. This is priceless. 
• Know your WHY. This is crucial. You have to connect the change with something valuable to you. Otherwise, what is the point? Why invest the time if this change doesn't really mean anything to you?
• Know that it will be worth the risk. Every time you succeed, you get a little stronger. You discover new strengths, new possibilities. The journey to change is as valuable as reaching the desired goal. 

As I embark on a new course, I encourage you to keep moving forward along your own. Know that you are not alone.