Keep Climbing

As many of you know, I decided to take part in a writing challenge during the month of October. The main goal of this endeavor was to create a new habit by writing every day for thirty-one days.

Guess what? I made it four whole days and did NOT write for three!

As much as I hate to admit, I am not one bit disappointed in myself because I knew my schedule for the upcoming thirty-days. I knew I had to photograph a wedding out of town the first weekend of the challenge. To be honest, writing was not the top priority. Properly photographing a beautiful wedding was my priority.

I went in with the idea of the project to form a creative habit, enhancing and practicing my writing. Nowhere in the challenge did I say I would beat myself up if I did not make it the thirty-one days. Nor, did I sign any documentation stating I would remove myself from the challenge if I missed a few days.

I did say I would make myself accountable for my writing and when I was not able to write, I would jot down what I would be writing about when I returned.

My goals were not out of reach; they were obtainable and I gave myself grace if I did fail. I gave myself grace because I am learning.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

I am learning about finding joy in the journey and you know what?

FAILING IS A PART OF THE JOURNEY.

We are going to stumble, we are going to fall, we are going to climb a tree and scrape our knees along the way, but it does not mean we should stop climbing. If we have to sit on a branch and take a breather, do so. If you tumble down a few branches, grab a hold of the nearest one and pull yourself back up.

Failing on your journey is not a bad thing, it is a sign of learning and growth. Fortunately while we are undergoing growth, we can usually find strength and perseverance at the root. While we're at it, we should also find a little mercy and grace; so forgive yourself and move forward. These are tools which will lead us to the next branch.

Creating good habits and making ourselves accountable may be difficult but they are less of a headache when we set obtainable goals and give ourselves a little grace.

AND DON'T BE AFRAID TO FAIL.

You may decide to climb the tallest tree in the Redwoods but don't be surprised if you get a couple of blisters on the way. Just pull out the Band-aids and keep climbing until you reach the top.

With a pen and a travel journal in my hand, I plan to do the same.

With loving grace,