Hello Friends! It has been way too long since I have last written anything on here, but I have been feeling something stirring up inside of me and this space has always been a great place to just get all of my thoughts out.
Today, I want us all to ask ourselves why we are letting anything hold us back from trying that dream that we have. That dream that we can’t seem to stop finding reasons why NOT to do it, instead of the trusting the WHY that we have always had. That dream that we have a to-do list in order to make it happen, but never cross anything off. What do we need in order to begin trying our dreams?
I am in a season of life where new beginnings are happening all around and it has me feeling like there is no mountain too high to climb! So much so, that these secret dreams that I have had in my gut of starting my own small business and releasing some of the music that I have written finally became topics that I was excited to bring up in conversation. For so long, I thought I was worried about what others might say or think, but what do I do with the reality that it is no one’s fault of fears but my own that has kept these seeds unplanted?
I wonder what God thinks of creation’s hesitancy to create. We are made in the image of the Creator, and yet, when faced with the opportunity or encouragement to be apart of the creation in this world, we pause. Question. Think “realistically”. Seek out criticism. Criticize ourselves.
I get into these zones sometimes where I am asking God a question and then trying to discern the “signs” for answers that I assume are from Him.
What if God just wants me to try? Hasn’t he already given me everything that I need to try?
We say that we believe that God is holy, that all are things are possible through Christ, and that we are made in the image of Him. A hesitancy to create doesn’t align with those beliefs. If my dreams have not yet come true, and God has already laid the foundation for me to create, what am I REALLY waiting for?
There will always be a million reasons to hold off or never try, but the one reason to try far outweighs them.
Because. Yep. Remember that one word, two syllable response that your parents still tell you to this day that drives you crazy? That word that says so much without saying anything?
Because.
Because you have no idea who else needs to experience what you create.
Because you have no idea how much impact your creation may make.
Because you have no idea who else will be inspired by watching you try.
Because you will not fail. It might look different than you expected, but that is just an opportunity to create something even stronger than you realized.
Because, why not?
Because you can.
Because you must.
Establish that business, publish that book, release that song, take that picture, climb that mountain, make that food, start that foundation… Do that thing that has felt too scary to do. Take that to-do list, and rip it up (maybe not literally, especially if you are like me and LOVE to-do lists). BUT, rip up the fear it has held. Erase it all and write your new to-do list. It should look like this:
To-Do:
Try.
Learn.
Try Again. (if applicable)
What do you need in order to begin? You already have it. A dream.
That’s the secret friends. You already have everything that you need to try.
The things that hold us back are different for each person. You probable already know what has held you back this long.
Are you ready to confront that fear? Are you ready to stop waiting? Are you ready to begin?
A phrase that means more to me each day is Actions speak louder than Words.
You know what that phrase means to you. For me it says, “Ashlyn, do not stop at words. Speak it into existence, and carry out each step needed in order to not just say you will plant the seed, and not even just the planting of the seed, but the nurturing of that seed until it is time to harvest”.
I have said a lot and it is a little all over the place. Good. That just means that I need to keep trying this thing called writing blogs.
If anything, please walk a way with this: begin. because.
Begin right now, whatever that means to you and your dream. Because people are waiting to see the creation that you have to offer the world and they don’t even know it yet.
Happy Sunday my friends.
Begin.
Ashlyn.
you make me brave 