I read one time that you teach best what you most need to learn. This week, I’m saying this as much to myself as to my daughter. I’ve been struggling lately with the direction of my business, managing my schedule to allow time to really create, and figuring out how to make some of my ideas take flight. It’s hard work, and it can be discouraging at times. I’ve wondered whether it’s time to just lay aside some of the things I’ve been reaching for — things I know I really want to do. The prospect of “giving up” and leaving things unexplored feels like such a loss and a stretch to my creative energy and hope for the future. As I’ve been praying for clarity and direction, I feel like God has given me little glimpses of encouragement and possibility. The encouragement to keep pressing on. That only good can come from practice, from perseverance, from trying. And trying again. I want that for myself. And I want it for Baby Girl. I always want her to be in touch with her own dreams, and to keep after them. To not let circumstances or discouragement prevent her from what she loves. If she lays something aside, I want it to be a choice made in pursuit of something better — not in settling for a lesser version of her dream.

Don’t quit your day dream!