What you don’t see in this picture is the moment last week when I walked up the hill with a dead newborn lamb in my arms after watching its mother struggle to give birth. In my immaturity as a sheep owner, I hadn't known how to help her.
What you don’t see before this picture was in that moment last week when I stood by as my son battled with disappointment and frustration. He had lost his beloved bees earlier this year and now his firstborn lamb.
What you don’t see in this picture are my raw feelings of ‘I didn't do it right,’ ‘I set my children up for disappointment,’ 'I should just stay in the comfort of what I know'...
What you don’t see in the picture is the battle with electric fences, the crafting, the time, the energy, the investment in making this moment happen.
What you don’t see in the picture are the years spent pursuing a dream of land and adventures. It was a time of sacrifice, sweat, and tears, the tension and fragility of stretching our family to extreme limits.
What you don’t see in the picture are the moments of wondering whether the dreams have been worth it (this dream merely being a prophetic forerunner to other adventures that invite us forward into the realm of the unknown and things not yet qualified for), and wondering at the cost.
Yet still, when I look at that picture I see that miracles sometimes need to be fought for, pursued, chased after.
Dreams often only come to fruition through hard work, stubborn focus, and tenacity. Wanting to give up is a normal feeling and just another obstacle to the journey.
The truth in this picture is that just as new life breaks forth right here, it is surely poised to do the same in other areas of our lives. Heaven's creation cannot help but bring life through death, strength through pain, light to darkness, and joy through sorrow.
The truth of this picture is that I'm humbled and I’m grateful for His consistent love, peace, joy, and the invitation to find Him in everything."
Reflection Questions:
In moments of challenge and disappointment, how do I typically react, and how do those reactions affect those around me, especially loved ones like my son in the story?
What are some instances in my life where I've faced obstacles or setbacks that required me to persevere and fight for my dreams? What did I learn from those experiences?
How do I handle feelings of self-doubt and questioning my decisions, when thinking, "I didn't do it right," or “I am only hurting myself and those around me”?
Am I willing to embrace discomfort and uncertainty in pursuit of my dreams and goals, even if the path is not entirely clear? If not, what would lead me to that place?
What are the dreams and adventures that I've been longing to pursue, but perhaps have hesitated due to fear of the unknown or concerns about the cost involved?
In reflecting on this story and its parallels to my own journeys of perseverance, how can I better equip myself to navigate life's challenges and keep pursuing my aspirations?
How can I grow in peace with the reality that success does not always look how I had expected it to when I envisioned my goal? How can I make space for flexibility in what my own success looks like?
Self-Development Actions:
Mindfulness Practice
Begin a daily mindfulness practice to better manage reactions to challenging situations. This can help you respond with greater awareness and composure.
Goal Setting and Planning
Take time to set clear, actionable goals for the dreams and adventures you wish to pursue. Develop a strategic plan for achieving them, breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps. Be specific, it activates the circuits in your brain that process goal setting and achieving!
Self-Compassion Exercises
Explore self-compassion exercises and self-talk techniques to counter feelings of self-doubt. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you'd offer a friend in a similar situation.
Embrace Discomfort
Challenge yourself to step outside of your comfort zone and embrace discomfort as a natural part of growth. Start with small steps, gradually expanding your comfort zone.
Resilience Building
Develop a reliance toolkit that includes mindfulness, stress management, and emotional regulation techniques. Seek support from a therapist or coach if needed.
Perseverance and Tenacity
Remind yourself that setbacks and obstacles are part of any worthwhile journey. Troubleshoot the obstacles and renew your commitment to persisting, even when the going gets tough.
Support Network
Build and nurture a support network of friends, family, or mentors who can provide guidance, encouragement, and accountability as you pursue your dreams.
Gratitude Practice
Cultivate a daily gratitude practice to foster a sense of humility and gratitude for the love, peace, joy, and opportunities that come your way.
Journaling
Consider keeping a journal to document your progress, reflections, and lessons learned on your journey of self-development and pursuing your dreams.
‘Dreams are conceived long before they are achieved… between the birth of a dream and its realization is always a process. The period is filled with doubts, adversity, changes and surprises. During the process, you will experience good days and bad… frequently you will be faced with a dilemma: Do you give up, or go on? Without hesitation, I can give you the answer. Don’t give up on your dreams.”
John Maxwell
Personal growth and pursuing your dreams can often involve overcoming challenges and uncertainty. There is strength and resilience available to you to navigate life's twists and turns as you pursue what is ahead. You got this!
So much depth here. Thank you Hannah!