All Parts of the Journey Matter
As I began talking to Amber, one of my coffee shops baristas, I was genuinely interested in learning more about who she is and what her hopes and dreams are. She has been a dear barista friend for months now, but I never actually knew what gave her hope and what she aspired to become.
As she began sharing with me what hope means to her, she clearly put it, "without hope, there would be no reason to live or do anything. The idea of building relationships with others, meeting new people, opportunity for a raise at work, or having any further success, is what helps motivate me to keep showing up one day at a time. Without these possibilities, it would not feel like there was much reason to keep trying, you know? I mean if everything was always going to remain the same, what would the point be?" She raised a very good point, in my opinion.
Further, she began telling me, "I am so grateful I have a family who loves me and people around me who continuously challenge me, pour into me, build me up, and encourage me to keep going. Not everyone has that, but everyone certainly needs people who are there for them. Because of their love, it just motivates me to want to love them and serve them, along with love and serve others around me."
I was then interested in knowing what is a current goal she is pursuing or what she hopes to be her reality in the next few years. This question made her face especially light up as she shared her response. "I really want to be a personal trainer and open up an all girls gym," she stated. She continued on by sharing, "One day I woke up and I knew I wanted to be different; I had some changes to make. I had a desire to start becoming healthier myself, physically and emotionally. As I started working towards this personal goal, so many of my friends and family around me were inspired, impacted, and influenced. If I am honest, it really caught me by surprise because I never thought how much this would have really encouraged those around me to want to make some changes and become better versions of themselves. So, as I began talking with them, I decided to ask them what some of their set backs or barriers were to becoming healthy? They began sharing that they felt nervous about going to the gym with so many people, some due to fear of safety, but the majority due to insecurity of using the equipment, especially with so many 'professionals' around. It was during this time that I began seeing the need for women to have a safe place to come and work out with other women; a place to have support, be built up, gain confidence, not worry about safety, etc. And this, Jenn, is when I decided that I really want to open up an all girls gym in the community to help women become healthier, better versions of themselves. Not only for themselves, but for the sake of their family and friends around them. Health is important, physical and mental, and I want to help people understand that they can do hard things and they do not have to live in fear and insecurity."
I am so incredibly thankful for this opportunity to get to know her and now be able to know how to cheer her on toward her goals. It is so encouraging to hear her heart, and I am truly excited to see how she continues to push forward and work toward her dreams.
She left me with this one final thought, "I have also been encouraged to pursue this goal and dream by watching my older sister work toward her goals and dreams. Even though things are going opposite of her sister's plan, watching my sister keep pressing on and seeing that no mater what the journey looks like, there is comfort in knowing that all parts of the journey matters. Every single step and part is needed."
Friends and family, be encouraged today. Take it one day at a time. Keep showing up, keep choosing hope, and keep striving toward those deep rooted dreams and passions God has entrusted to you. And next time you visit your favorite coffee shop, ask your barista what one of their dreams is and what hope means to them . There are stories to be heard all around us.