Go For It!

Today we had a wonderful celebration at my work as one of my colleagues is following her heart and with her family including two small children is heading off to begin a new life adventure in Australia.  Bit by bit, day by day, she has followed her heart to start this new chapter of her life.  It has not always been an easy journey and there have been many discouraging parts to her story, but finally one big hurdle has been crossed.  She has sold her home, quit her work and they are flying off next week.
Her predecessor in that job is also following her heart and is in the middle of her own adventure as she has just sent off all the papers to adopt her daughter from Africa.  She too has not had an easy path, but has recently taken some significant steps forward as she moves forward in faith on a different kind of dream.  Today I held both these wonderful women in my heart and allowed their journeys and faith to inspire me.

Life is not always about dreams.  Sometimes there are long periods when we really may not have any special goals or aspirations on this journey.  We are simply hiking along, doing the best we can in the ordinary.  One person I also work with has dreams of his own, but is also really good at encouraging the rest of us.  Not a birthday or event goes by without significant celebration and joy expressed in cards, gifts, and banners draped across desks.  Delighting in bringing joy to those daily events that life brings is in itself a big part of the adventure of life.

When those possible and not so possible dreams bubble up in our hearts it is important to recognize them and step forward.  At first the steps forward may seem insignificant.  They may be as ordinary as celebrating the birthday of a colleague!  Sometimes the steps may seem like they go backwards in disappointment.  Keep the faith.  Go for your dreams.

For all those in the midst of adoption journeys, be encouraged!  There are many steps forward and backward both in the process of adopting and also in the process of parenting!  Do not loose your passion for your kids.  It is a hard but most wonderful journey. Even the stepping out to try is enough.  Wait for whatever will be, while taking a step at a time forward.

Life is not perfect.  Dreams may seem small or big.  Listen.  Respond.  Receive.  Love.  Go for those stirrings in your heart in faith and trust!