Are these 3 things holding you back from Achieving Success?

Two weeks without a computer and limited access to paper.  My brain was literally breaking down in terms of needing to write.  I didn't realize how inherent writing was to my being, processing, and sense of self until I was fully locked away from it!

I can recall being in grade school and even then loving to journal.  However I never saw myself as a writer.  TJ was the writer in class.  He had a journal with him at all times - during down time he would create these fantastical worlds on paper. I remember thinking to myself- THAT IS A REAL WRITER.  THAT IS WHAT THEY DO.  HE HAS SOMETHING SPECIAL. A REAL WRITER has a magic senses of other worlds and a constant influx of ideas to shape.  I wasn't creative like that.  I didn't have that gift.  Because I couldn't associate myself with the definition that I had correlated with "writer", I wrote myself off!  I ignored my love for it & sense of calm from it, because I didn't fit the definition of what I had idealized a writer to be.

This is a harsh lesson that I have learned in many capacities of my life.

LESSON 1:  There is NO pure definition for ANYthing!
Do not let your preconception of what something is (or should be) discount yourself from doing it!  Do not let your ideas, definition, or projection of what should be, stop you.
⦁    With the Olympics just ending there are tons of "underdog" tales on all of our minds- the boy who beat his idol Phelps, the 42 year old gymnast, Sakshi Malik- the Indian female wrestler who won a medal, the non-placement of unstoppable Jordan Burroughs, Simone Manuel- the first black american women to swim away with a gold, .... All of these underdog stories remind me that someone believed in themselves despite the critics and pre-concieved ideas about who belonged and what an athlete in their sport is.
Be Inspired by this!
Do not be defined by the cookie cutter molds.  REDEFINE THE MOLD.  BE YOUR OWN.  Be better than the mold.  Be special. Stand out.  Break the barriers.

LESSON 2:  Just because you aren't naturally gifted or talented in the craft that you love, does NOT mean that you are not destined to excel in it.
Yes, some people are naturally bestowed with talents but the best in the world are the people who contain passion and accept a "growth" mentality.  This means acknowledging what you lack in skill but truly believing that with effort, dedication and hard work you will obtain those skills.  Do NOT quit on yourself.  Put in the work and the talent will come.

LESSON 3:  Be True To YOU
You can try to silence a skill, a love, a passion- but your heart will break and your livelihood will suffer.  If your day lights up by filling it with something that sings to your soul- give into it!  Allow yourself to be expressed fully and embrace the things in you that light up your heart!

So here I am, 20 years out of grade school, finally accepting that I am a writer.  It is in my soul.  TJ was gifted in so many fantastical was that I wasn't.  But I have a voice also!  I own that mine may not be a natural talent, as his was.  Mine is a truly different voice with an unimaginative, un-enchanted, but full valid, semi-inspiring voice.  It has taken me living with hippies for 2 weeks, filled with lots of downtime (and no internet) to contemplate life and realize what sparks my days.  It has taken this reprieve for me to embrace how huge writing has been in my entire life.  From childhood journaling, to epic note writing in high school, as an outlet for abusive relationships- it has always been an outlet and sanctuary for me.  I have lots of growth ahead of me to improve my writing, however I am really happy that my brain is finally listening to my heart about what makes it sing.

What activities perk you up?
What does your soul crave when it is void from your day-to-day?
What is holding you back from believing in your abilities?
Who are you at your core?

Take a listen....and give into it!