I get discouraged so frequently it's practically part of my daily routine. There are times where I feel so stuck and unable to accomplish anything and instead of trying to fix the problem, I make it worse by studying someone else's star-studded film reel, polished and perfected and pieced together with wild opportunity after wild opportunity. My quiet list of achievements seems like the bloopers in comparison.
The other night, I had a long chat with my mom about these frustrations. I told her how I want to live a life that's more than just average, but being scared that I wouldn't end up on the right path that would lead me there. She mentioned something that has resonated with me ever since: there's something called the pursuit of happiness. Feeling happy and content aren't things that are just going to drop into your lap with little to no effort. The people that are truly fulfilled are the ones that identify their passions and pursue them relentlessly. Feeling discouraged is just a step of making your dream come true--it can't always be a star-studded film reel. No one ever said it was going to be easy. On the contrary, pursuing something is fraught with difficulty, hardships, and anxiety at every turn. The most important part is not giving up, no matter how discouraged or scared you might get. Sometimes things have to get messier before they can get better.
That conversation put everything back into focus for me. Of course, that doesn't mean I won't still get frustrated or discouraged or want to give up, but I know what my goal is--I just need to concentrate and keep on working. The negative feelings are only part of the pursuit and they will fade in time...and the most comforting thought of all is that there's a plan designed specifically for me by someone far greater and wiser than I.
Please don't ever, ever give up, y'all. Your dreams are so worth pursuing.
much love.
thanks for the good reminder, carlotta. amen.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely hard, but with God, it's well worth it.
ReplyDeletelovely lovely post. I love it! Great reminder. thank you for sharing. ♥
ReplyDeleteVery inspiring and encouraging, Carlotta! I couldn't have said it better than you already did. Thank you for this reminder.
ReplyDeletewow, this is exactly what I needed. everything you said- just wow. thanks so much for posting, Carlotta! For chasing your dreams, and encouraging everyone who reads to chase theirs. you are awesome.
ReplyDeleteThis is *so* encouraging, girl. Thank you. <3
ReplyDeletexoxo, bree
amen. i so needed this.
ReplyDeleteYesyesyesyesyes.
ReplyDeleteyes. i've been feeling like this lately, and your posts has just given me the answer to all of my questions. bless you, carlotta. bless. you.
ReplyDelete:) so great.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about this a lot too Carlotta! But more on the side of just picking the wrong path. Although I think God does have a specific path for us, it's up to us to choose how we live during that time. For example, I am going to college this coming fall and I was so worried I'd pick the wrong school, but there is no wrong school. I may end up changing, but that doesn't mean it was wrong. God puts us through trial so we learn and grow and let him mold us. Just thought I'd share.
ReplyDeleteAmen, girl. :)
ReplyDeletei don't know if your photo up there is old or new but i'm just seeing it for the first time and i love it!!
ReplyDeletegood things come with much effort :)
ReplyDeleteCarlotta, that was so encouraging. Thank you. :)
ReplyDeleteeve @ essence of eve
Thank you so much for your encouraging words, Carlotta! :-)
ReplyDelete--Megan
www.immeganjune.com
Really needed to read this thanks Carlotta :) Hope your having a blessed day.
ReplyDeleteEliza
thank you for the reminder. it's something i really need to work on too. ::)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Thank you for your transparency :) It helps to know that you're not the only one feeling like that so I definitely appreciate you sharing this! It's always a welcome reminder. You are awesome.
ReplyDeleteOh, Carlotta, this post was so what I needed to hear right now.What precious advice from your mama!
ReplyDeletejust so you know, YOUR life is inspiring to so many people-including me!
May the Lord continue to bless you and your sweet soul!
love,
Em
don't YOU ever give up. we love you!!!
ReplyDeletexx.
Just... thanks, Carlotta. :)
ReplyDeleteI love this, Carlotta. Puts everything into perspective... tell your mom thanks for the motherly lecture to 1500 people. ;]
ReplyDeletelife is a journey, not a destination!
ReplyDeleteamen. ditto alexxus, lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks, dear. I'm going to pursue my photography dreams.
ReplyDeletethanks Carlotta.
ReplyDeletehey, that was beyond inspiring. and true. you never really think of happiness as something that has to be pursued. most of the times i just wait, expecting it to come. sometimes it does. but the kind of happiness that fufills dreams and goals and sustains relationships, now that's the kind that's gotta be gone after. worked for. and its always worth it.
ReplyDeleteyou're an incredible writer, carlotta.
thanks so much for this, carlotta. :) Sometimes I think half the joy is in messing up and looking back at the old pictures and ideas of happiness and realizing, 'I've really changed, and I've been pursuing different forms of happiness at different times, but it's all been a heck of a ride.'
ReplyDeletewow. you said it! this made me feel so much better and i can understand myself better now because of this and what god has for my future! :)
ReplyDeletexoxoxo
Oh my goodness. Thank you for this.
ReplyDeleteThis advice speaks a lot for me since I'm already in college and taking up a pre-law course but I'm not even sure I want to be a lawyer.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of dreams I have left behind but there are some dreams I kept with me in my journey of life. One of those dreams is to find happiness, I hope we both find our happiness :)
Followed! I hope you stop by my blog sometime ;)
Simply believe don't doubt anything. You're alive... Believe in that. Let go of the idea that the path will lead you to your goal. The truth is that with each step we take, we arrive.
ReplyDelete- Paulo Coelho
i had this exact same conversation with my mom and best friend. i can't even begin to describe how great it feels to know i'm not the only one with these struggles. so thank you for writing this, for putting my thoughts into words because goodness knows i can't do that very well.
ReplyDeletei will be praying for us both, dear friend!
I have those same feelings so often.. thank you for this post, Carlotta! It's a great reminder to keep pursuing my dreams of being an author and baker. :)
ReplyDelete