"It's Going to Take Up Your Whole Life." I Know! Isn't It Great?!

My pom poms are a freaking miracle. Yesterday I was reminded that while I was "born with them," I've had to work to keep them.

I had an interaction yesterday that HIT hard. Someone got wind of something super exciting I'm doing, and they had something to say about it. I've learned who my people are: the ones I share my excitement with, and the ones I don't. That's how I protect my peace. What they think doesn't matter. I don't need anyone to drain my cup or help me think "realistically" or "logically." No thanks. I dream big, with faith, with dreams, and with GOD, and I just don't have space for anything else in my world. I'm an open book, but I can also be a steel trap when I need to be, for my own sanity and my future.

This person found out anyway. And there I was, on the receiving end of their thoughts about it. Their doubts. Their concerns. Their alternatives. Their realities. Their logic. Honestly, everything they could possibly think of to share. Ooof. Here it was. This is exactly why I preach to women to KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE. This was NOT my audience. Not my cheering squad for this particular exciting thing. But here we were.

I felt myself shriveling inside, and at the same time something was bubbling up to the top. What came out was a smile and words I hadn't planned.

They said, "I'm sorry I can't be all 'you go girl.' I just can't say it for this."

I smiled and said, "Oh, you totally don't have to be! I have enough you-go-girls! You can just pray! We take prayer! You don't have to cheer for me. It's going to happen, and it's going to be amazing!"

They said, "It's going to take up your whole life."

And I said, "I know! Isn't it going to be great?! I'm so excited!"

I love this person. I respect them, and I appreciate them so much. I'm grateful for the support they give me in other areas of my life. Their love language is loud, and it's needed for sure. But I don't need it in every area of my life. I can love someone deeply and still choose how I respond to them. Their words are theirs to say. My response is mine to choose.

After the conversation, I started slipping into the funk of it. You know, the aftermath, when you just feel like crap. And I remember thinking: I am a serious miracle. For years I've been able to combat those kinds of responses and still come out with my pom poms on top. Not to brag, but me and my pom poms defy the odds. I really don't know how I can listen to all the "real," "logical" responses and still come out exhaling glitter dust. The only answer is my faith. For real.

Faith is what you don't see. You don't have to see what I see. You're not supposed to. I have my faith, and you have yours. You do you and make it happen, and I will cheer you on, because I believe that what God has put on your heart is ready to be activated.

I'll stay in my lane too. Y'all can come with me, cheer from the sidelines, or just watch. Doesn't matter.

I'm going for it, even when it looks like I realistically shouldn't be able to. Because… actually, I can.

And ACTUALLY, YOU CAN TOO.