Inspiration

My kids always inspire me - watching them grow and listening to their young words of wisdom - sometimes they hit closer to home than they know.

Tonight I was feeling particularly grumpy. I feel like I am stuck where I am and I can't see a way out. There are so many things that I want to do and I am not sure where to start. And it seemed like today every plan that I had got thrown off so it magnified the feeling of "stuckyness" (yes, I made up that word).

Then my beautiful daughter taught me a lesson tonight. I took her to her gymnastics class and watched her practice like I always do. They have this one exercise where they climb a rope that is connected to the ceiling. I think it is three stories up - I may be exaggerating but it looks that high to me!! When they climb to the top and can touch the connector, they get a ribbon of success. On her first night, she wouldn't even touch the rope.  The second and the third night she climbed but never got close to the top. But tonight, tonight she climbed all the way to the top. I was so proud, I took pictures. When class was over I asked her how she felt and what encouraged her to get to the top. She told me, "I wanted to get that ribbon. I wanted to see what it looked like and I wanted to be proud of my self". When I asked her if she was scared climbing that rope she just looked at me and said as a matter of fact, "no I just keep looking up". Sigh. For a moment, I was ashamed. Here I am feeling stuck - like I can't go any further - and my daughter has figured it all out. She knows what she wants and to her is was simple to get it, just keep looking up. Just keep climbing.

I know what my prize is. I know what it will feel like when I accomplish it. I just need to keep my eye on it and I will make it.  It is just that simple. Thanks again, Madison, for teaching me more than I could ever learn on my own.