If you’ve now or ever experienced self-doubt about your ability to pursue a dream, please do yourself a huge favor and watch the movie, Secretariat. 

This movie is a must see!  The movie is based upon a true story and reinforces my personal sentiments.  If you believe in something strong enough, regardless of the naysayers’, including close family and close friends, that it is okay to carefully proceed full steam ahead.

I’m a firm believer in “leaving my own footprints in the sand,” and urge my children to do the same.  I am delighted that my 22-year-old is following her dream of becoming a filmmaker and editor. While I may not always be happy with some of her choices, I realize that she has to create her own path.  And more
importantly, with regards to her career, she’ll never have to say, “I wonder if…” or “I’ve always wanted to…” because she’s confident in her ability and passionate enough about her dreams to pursue them.

Although my husband and I have always encouraged her to follow her passion, others have not. A friend and former high school classmate of my daughter and her parents once mocked her for her career choice. Yet, unbeknownst to them. their daughter was and still may be miserable chasing a career dictated by family tradition.  I can only shake my head and think about the sadness that will evolve from that situation.

Responsible parents encourage their children to be independent thinkers.  We stir our children to never give up—keep trying—always do their best.  However, when it comes to our own personal goals and dreams, how many of us give up on them?  Yes, parenting may require personal and/or professional sacrifices, but at what cost?

To achieve happiness in our lives, I believe that we must also grow and evolve spiritually within ourselves.  Not only as mom, as wife, or as worker, but as a woman. To truly live a full life, we have to continue to seek and maintain balance between family time and our own personal time…reserved just for us.

I like this definition of life that I found on dictionary.com:

“the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic objects and dead organisms, being manifested by growth through metabolism, reproduction, and the power of adaptation to environment through changes originating internally.”

I believe that life is not stagnant; it is constant and should involve a continuous process of growth. Growth stems from a changing environment and adaptation to the changes, whether positive or negative.  Ultimately, the outcome is determined by God or whatever higher spiritual being is your belief.  However, we must first believe enough in ourselves and have the faith and confidence to pursue our dreams.  By doing so, we will feel accomplished, we discover a different level of happiness, we become empowered, and we also become fantastic role models for our children.

Set aside some me time and enjoy the movie, Secretariat. Oh, you might want to have a few tissues
handy… just in case.  :0)

Think Forward