I’m all for soul food and inspiration. You know that.

But on that note, life takes turn we don’t expect sometimes… a lot of times.

It’s at those times that we dig deep into what we’ve stored up and try to make the best of it.

So recently, I was inspired to write about those things that are difficult when we’re in the midst of it all, but worth it in the end.  So here it is friend.  Brew a warm cup of tea and let it steep awhile.

It Wont’ Be Easy, But It Will Be Worth It

It will be longer than you expected.  Later than you planned.

You won’t win and then you’ll come in first place.  You’ll do the best you can because you have no choice.

You’ll feel it before you see it. In mere moments, the days will pass quicker than you can keep up with, but you’ll keep up.

They won’t be there when you thought they would – but you’ll find someone else.  They might be different, but they’ll still be a good partner, friend, and someone you can take long walks with to enjoy the breeze.

The forts you build will crumble.  You’ll build new ones, and do it for less.  Less struggle and more bliss.  You’ll make it happen.

You’ll be upset at the news, but then you’ll soften and realize it’s for the best.  The garden you plant will flourish, and there will be seeds that don’t germinate.

The hours you spend picking and pedaling will pay off.  The seeds you plant now will bloom months from now, and guess what?  It will be better than you imagined. 

The trail you took will be washed away.  The bridge will be down.  The campground will be closed.

You’ll be up half the night pondering how to get back at them, and then fall asleep angry and wake up resentful. You’ll forgive and forget.  You’ll move on because it’s not worth it.  You have better things to do.

You’ll decide to live happy, learn yoga, meditate, and walk barefoot in the grass.

You’ll earn it by giving, sharing, and digging.  The water will keep flowing.  Everything you plant will grow.  Everything you touch will be impacted.  They’ll want to follow in your footsteps, and join the adventure.

You’ll lead the way.

The river will flip you.  The kayak you were in will be washed downstream.  You’ll feel frantic, trudge through the mud, and make your way through the thick brush.  You’ll come out on the other side, and it won’t be as bad as you thought.

You’ll get the job, work the stage, and build the platform.  You’ll quit, set off on your own, and you’ll make it. You always do.

You won’t get the position you thought you would. Someone else with less drive and smaller dreams will take that seat, and you’ll be glad you’re not the one confined to the desk job.

You’ll meet someone on the plane and hit it off.  They’ll say hello in the hotel lobby and it will go from there. What you’re doing in five years won’t be what you imagined.

You’ll still be working at most of it, be finished with some of it, and have embraced all of it.

Living out west will get delayed because you’ve got to be home with your family.  You’ll delay the project to take care of your grandmother.  The project will always be there, but your grandmother won’t always.

You’ll move thousands of miles away and ironically, thousands of miles will bring you closer together.  You’ll get a flat tire, miss the ferry, and get stranded.  You’ll fall off the bike, but you’ll get back on and ride. 

When you thought you’d be living in your dream home, swinging in the hammock, and canning jam, you’ll realize you’re doing something very different. There will be moments when you look around and wonder why…in amazement of it all.

Awe. Bliss. Tragedy. Grief.  You’ll feel them all deeply and then find your way onward. 

You’ll take a different job and discover it.  You’ll create a revolution and lead it.  You’ll remember you’re a part of something bigger, and for the first time in your life, you’ll believe it. 

You’ll miss the flight and feel stuck.  Then you’ll walk through an open door you thought was closed.  You’ll feel rejected, confused, and perplexed by the process.  But you’ll end up grateful, and do things differently next time.

You’ll think it’s over, but you’ll face your fears and bust through the blocks.  The open road will call you and you’ll go, and then you’ll realize the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. 

You won’t get it perfect.

You’ll be early, and then end up late.

You’ll hit a wall.

You’ll change your mind.

You’ll open your heart.

It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.