A couple of weeks ago, I was laying in bed about to go to sleep, and for some reason, I thought about going to sleep when I was in high school. (Stick with me…)

 

I was only six when I was diagnosed with scoliosis. For ten years I wore a back brace at school. I had it while I tried to do ballet. It was there while I slept… you name it. I would lay in bed before I’d go to sleep hoping and praying that I’d be able to stop wearing my brace soon. It was uncomfortable, my scoliosis hurt, and I was embarrassed to go to sleepovers with it. I remember thinking about how excited I’d be for the day I finally was done growing and could sleep without it.

Fast forward to today, and of course, I’ve been done growing and haven’t worn it for years. Yet how often do I lay in bed and think about how grateful I am to be able to do so without my brace? Not often enough!

Instead, so often we are thinking of our next goal, our next dream, what we are looking forward to happening next. We can easily forget that our current reality is the living out of so many dreams we once we had.

 

My brace is just one example of how this played out in my own life. Another is being able to live in New York City (a lifelong dream of mine!). Also, meeting the man I’m going to marry. And now, running a business that’s grown beyond my wildest dreams.

 

I’m guessing you have some pretty amazing dreams that have come true for you too?

 

The key here is balancing our drive for more and our gratitude and appreciation for what we’ve already accomplished. It is essential to stay motivated in order to not settle and continue reaching new heights. AND it’s also essential to notice and be grateful for wherever you’re at on the journey, and not take it for granted.

 

This balance is what propels your dreams forward.

 

You’ll stay motivated to chase your next dream or goal, but because you’re doing so in a grateful frame of mind, you’ll leave stress, imposter syndrome, and worry behind.

 

I certainly don’t always have this balanced perfectly, but I am always trying to remember it.

 

What about you? What are your favorite ways to strike this balance? How do you stay motivated? At the same time, what keeps you grateful for the journey?

 

I’d love to hear from you! Email me and let me know!