Happy First Week
I thought I’d start the year with a story that hopefully will inspire you.
So here we go.
As a Christmas present to ourselves, Randy and I took a grand adventure that ended with visiting our children and grandchildren. It was days of sunshine, spending time at the park or around a fire, and passing along my favorite gifts … books.
My smile was almost as wide as the one drawn on the cover when I delivered the Happiness Advantage by Shawn Anchor to every family member. Because, ultimately, that is what I want for our kids. Regardless of where they are in their journey, they grow and are happy with their progress.
There was a “Wait, it gets better” moment, too. I gave them fiction books that suited their personal interests. The grandkids got books, too. I thought I was being sneaky when I stuffed some money in the pages for them to find a reward. It was supposed to be a metaphor. Reading is like finding treasure. They flipped through the pages and found the money in minutes.
The grandchildren gifted me with a sweet reminder that I’ll share here.
The first reminder comes from Harper and Zachary. We went on a picnic so they could explore. The park we visited was amazing. It had a hiking trail, a playground, a practice, and a real rock climbing wall for the kids. There was so much more, but that was the focus of our attention.
For reference, Harper is a toddler, and Zachary is ten. Zachary scaled a ten-foot rock wall–in crocks. So, of course, Harper wanted to climb the wall. She’d press her hands to the wall and lift her knee….like it was that easy. The determination on her face spoke her thoughts clearly. If Zachary can do it, she could, too. She yelled at the wall, called up to Zachary to help her, stepped away from the wall, and tried again.
I offered to help her, but she didn’t want it. So there she stood at the bottom of the wall, trying to solve her problem.
It was adorable.
Eventually, a kid drove his remote-controlled car, and she toddled after it–with determination. It took a good five minutes, but she caught that car.
With that quest fulfilled, she returned to the wall.
And that was how the afternoon progressed.
She knows that one day, she’ll scale it and be at the top with her brother.
I thought it was so appropriate for the theme of beginnings. We all take on a goal or a wall we want to conquer. Others have gone before us and scaled the obstacle, so we believe wholeheartedly that should be able to do it, too. Then we press our hands to the wall, raise our knee, and reality sets in.
I need to develop some muscles.
Or, I thought I could handle this.
And, let’s throw in the frustrated “What was I thinking?”
Harper reminded me that challenge and frustration are companions. But they are accompanied by the vision of what we want—to remind us that the goal/dream is doable. In the meantime, some things that can be done along the way to help us grow.
So, I’m looking back at 2023 while heading into 2024 with that in mind.
And now, when I’m frustrated, I have a mental picture of my sweet granddaughter’s hands on that wall, and her face scrunched in determination.
Just like her, we may face obstacles that seem insurmountable at first glance. But remember, every challenge is a stepping stone, every frustration a lesson in disguise. Whether it’s scaling our own personal rock walls or chasing after remote-controlled cars of opportunity, let’s embrace each moment with the same unwavering determination and joy.
My dear Reader Friends, as we step into this new year, I encourage you to ask yourself: What is your rock wall? And more importantly, how will you climb it?
Keep Harper’s spirit in your heart, and remember, no wall is too high when you’re fueled by dreams and determination.
Happy New Year, and here’s to a 2024 filled with triumphs, big and small!