Audacity of Walking My Path

The Audacity to Walk My Own Path

Setting goals is exhilarating. Following through? Thats another story.

Accepting my gifts my intuition, vision, strengths, and the desires placed on my heart feels like an act of audacity. Denying them? That feels easier. Sabotaging them? That feels like second nature.

So the days slip by, filled with busyness but not progress. A dream sparks. An idea fuels my soul. A simple phone call could set everything in motion. I take a step forward, maybe even two. And then without warning something inside me trips me up.

I picture her:

A vivacious, enthusiastic young girl runs down the path, arms raised, eyes shining with passion. The wind and sun on her face fuel her. She climbs the hills with exhilaration, undeterred by the challenge. She is fearless. She is free. She holds joy with both hands and chases her dreams with abandon.

Then she stumbles.

She falls hard, face-first into the dirt. A crowd gathers. Their laughter is sharp, their eyes filled with taunts and accusations.

Who do you think you are?

You're not good enough.

You don't have the training, the degrees, the pedigree.

You should have known better.

The audacity.

The little girl curls into herself, hiding her face in her arms. The crowd moves on, satisfied. She stays behind shunned, ashamed. She steps off the path. She tells herself it's over. But the passion won't turn off.

She tries to live divided, one foot on the path of her dreams, the other walking the road of expectations. It is exhausting. The tearing and fragmenting unbearable.

She fights. She hides. She runs.

And then finally she hears the quiet voice in her heart:

Be still.

Be real.

Be open.

Be courageous.

Be faithful.

So, I take a breath.

I wipe the dust from my hands.

And I step forward.