I do all the things for them. Sometimes I do them for me, so I can be whole for them. But, when it really comes down to it, I do them for them.
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Like tonight, for instance. Tonight I went to a “Toastmasters” (public speaking) group meeting. I signed up for it weeks ago. But when tonight actually got here, I nearly talked myself out of going at least 10 times. What if everyone knew each other already? What if I couldn’t learn something? What if it made me uncomfortable? What if. What if. What if.
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But I went. I went for them. I mean, I went for me. But I really went for them. Let me explain.
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I’ve always loved public speaking. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve dreamed of being a professional speaker. Inspiring people. Being a keynote. Changing lives. It’s part of why I got into sales.
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But, somewhere along the way, I lost that dream. I stopped perusing it. Sure, I speak for a living now in sales. I get to inspire people. But, on stages? To masses? I haven’t practiced that in years. If I’m honest, it makes me nervous as hell.
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So, tonight, I took one small step towards that dream. Of being a regular public speaker. You know why? FOR THEM.
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A few months ago, I heard something on a podcast that really stuck with me. I could write a whole post on this one thing. But, to sum it up, the speaker said that we can’t spend our children’s whole childhood telling them that they can be anything. Encouraging them, coaching them, telling them to follow their dreams… if we don’t also follow our own. He said eventually, one day, they would notice. One day they’d ask “What about you mom?” The words made me cry as I heard them “What about you?”
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So, tonight, I followed a dream. I set the example. I did the thing. Because if I do one thing on this planet. If I set one example, if I leave one legacy, I will be a mother who never stoped chasing her dreams. Even if I’m 35. Even if I’m a mother of 2. Even if it’s scary. Because it’s what I want them to do too. And, they are watching. ✨
Tag: inspiration
Chasing Dreams.
Ain’t no shame in my game.
I want to be a blogger. Not because I want to be famous. Not because I think I’m cool, or that I know it all. (I don’t. And I’m not – see yesterday’s story about me wearing a dorky name badge around town for hours without knowing it 🙈). But because I follow a lot of other women, moms, friends, influencers who inspire me. They save me money, they help me with mindset. They encourage me to prioritize my health and work out. And, while I love to absorbe from others, I also like to create.
And, my heart wants to be a “content creator.” But you know what? You can’t be a content creator without creating content. You can’t be a blogger without having a blog.
But you CAN be anything you want. Want to be a blogger?! Write a blog! Want to be a runner? Buy running shoes. Run! Want I be a person who goes to Pilates? GO TO PILATES. That’s the coolest thing about life, we can do things. We just have to DO them.
So, I wanted a blogger looking pic of me at this cool coffee shop. So you know what I did? I propped my old iPhone on the windowsill and self timered this bad boy. Without caring what the kids who worked there thought. Without caring what anyone thought.
Here’s the thing: I’ve been scared to try…. because I’m scared what people will think. Because I’m scared I might fail. Because I’m scared you might see me fail. But, I’ve decided to let all that go.
Every time one of you sends me a message like “I like this content!” Or “thanks for sharing that!” I screenshot it. And, I save it in a folder named “keep going.” So, here I am… keeping going. And, I hope you keep going every day too after the things that your heart wants to do.
Lauren V Wesley 