Path to a dream

Had an interesting and motivating talk with my 13 yr old daughter today about dreams.

"We all have dreams." I explained. "But some people choose to pursue them, and some people don't."

I come from a motivated family. Entrepreneurs and out-of-the-box thinkers and it might be a bit intimidating to a 13 year old being compared to a full-grown adult's ambition.  But she still does have dreams.

She is right at that age... between 12 and 95, the funny in-between age and it is a challenge to decide who exactly she wants to be. She knows what she wants and we adults all have our ideas for her on how to get there, but... and it's a big one. How much does she want to get there?

There are so many lovely distractions for us all these days but how much are they helping or hindering us? I have dozens of research books and websites to comb through for my research for the book I am working on but have to remember to be balanced about the write vs. research teeter-totter. Otherwise I totter toward student and lean away from the writer.

For her the balance of social, TV,  school and such leaves spare time. How does she use that spare time? She does a lot of great things, but she also does some useless things too. We all do. There are few things we all could trim off the agenda for the day that wouldn't do us any harm.

 I asked - Are you giving enough moments 

everyday to your dream? 

The question produced an interesting answer. She answered an emphatic. "No" Then grimaced. She didn't like her own answer.

She got right to work on her dreams activity list. I was proud of her. It takes a lot to admit to having a fault in any area and I appreciated her openness to share what she really wants.

It gave me a lot to think about today for myself. I am pretty motivated at the moment toward my goals and have my own bad days of distraction or complete roadblocks that make me stumble toward my goals.

I know I need to keep my goals and dreams in my path daily to keep moving forward. While I still draw breath I must be what God made for me to be.

Hoping to pass that legacy on to my daughter.

by Leah Banicki

Doubts

We all like to label ourselves, with our professions and hobbies. It used to be the way people were named in some societies. My mother has a friend with the last name Wagonmaker. Not much of a stretch to guess what her ancestors were doing.

Maybe it's part of the creative persons persona but I have struggled over the years with who I am exactly. 

Singer, writer, geek are just a few of my labels. The pages would fill up with all the words I have to describe myself, some to flatter myself, others to be harsh. I am my own worst critic. I have had some evil critics in my day but none are worse than the doubter in my own head.

On the verge of releasing a new project and really dragging my heels on the final steps.  I take turns giving myself pep talks and find myself tiring of it. There is no more time to talk. It's time to move. 

I know I am not alone in this, I am sure of it. Stepping back into my own discipline and going to set the doubts aside. Back on the path, going to finish one step at a time. 

So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. - Galations 6:9 (The Message)

Online at: https://www.facebook.com/Leah.Banicki.Novelist

A brave woman at Walmart

There was a woman in line next to Jeff and I at Walmart, with two young kids, probably 4 and 2 yrs old. The young boy had a pacifier in his mouth but was anxious to help his mother put the groceries on the counter. Jeff and I told him he was a good helper. He wanted nothing to do with us, a little bit shy. His mom smiled at us weakly and we focused on our items to be loaded.
There was a woman behind us that piped into the conversation.
"He is too old for that pacifier!" She stated.
The mother turned while her groceries were being scanned by the clerk and picked up her shy son who didn't want attention.
She said so bravely."I know, he was over his pacifier awhile ago but since his baby sister died last month I think he has needed the comfort." Her eyes looked haunted. It broke my heart into a million pieces.
"I lost a sister too, I am so sorry." I said to the mother and the shy boy and the sister wrapped around her legs. The looks on their faces said it all. Just breathing in and out and going through the motions.
So proud of her for being brave and standing up for herself.

For those who always have to dive into having an opinion about something that is not their business. Please stop, and for a moment  worry about your own problems.

Praying for that young mother and her family tonight, knowing her long road to healing will be rough, but those two lovely helpful children can hold her tight through the journey.