It Takes Time to Grow
This is the conversation that Lili and I had this morning.
Lili is 2.25 years old, going on 92.
Lili looks up at my books on a shelf and says: “Mommy, I want those books.”
Me: “Oh Lili… you have to be old to read those books.”
Lili: “I want to be old, Mommy.”
Me: “Oh no, Lili… stay young… you don’t want to be old.”
Starting to cry, Lili whimpers, “I want to be old, Mommy. I don’t want to be young. I waaaant to be OLD!”
So many things ran through my head…
For one, this child has a very old soul as it is… there are days that she seems older than me. I wanted to bundle her up in shrink wrap so she wouldn’t grow. I wanted preserve every little ounce of her as she is. Secondly, as I’m entering my mid-thirties, I do waver on being that cliche… the 34 year-old who wishes they were 25. I try not to be that cliche, but some days it just is. I wanted to tell her, “Lili… you will be my age someday and look at your daughter and wish you were 2.” We all want to be older… until we get there… and then we want to be young again.
And, then I had one more thought…
We all want to get *THERE* faster, don’t we? We all want to get to that next point in our lives where everything is “better” or “more successful” or “amazing”. That desire never ends. There isn’t much difference between the two year old wanting to be “OLD” and the business owner who wants to build an empire overnight.
Life doesn’t happen like that.
It takes time to grow up… time to grow a flowerbed… time to grow a business. It takes dedication, and discipline, and practice, and hard work. There are no short cuts. And, if you enjoy the journey… STAY PRESENT… you’ll have a good time along the way.
My advice for you, is the same as it is for Lili… enjoy all of these days on your journey… it’s fun to be “old”… but I truly enjoyed what I went through to get here. And, my growing hasn’t stopped. I’m still learning. I’m still fine-tuning. I’m still practicing. Growth is never-ending.
Awesome, Michelle — thanks for sharing this!!
As we are working so hard to grow our wedding business, Intertwined, it is so nice to be reminded that nothing happens overnight and that we need to be patient and give ourselves time to grow.
We are also working on the concept of “Be Present” and we listed some of our goals to doing so here http://elevatingbrilliance.blogspot.com/2010/02/be-present.html.
Thanks for your wonderful posts. I look forward to reading them, daily.
Meghan Schinderle
Intertwined
Beautiful girl! Just beautiful!
I took a class on Buddhism when I was finishing up my Religious Studies degree and I sometimes remind myself to “be present.” It’s hard in our go-go society, but I think someday I will truly get there. Trying to hurry on to the next thing leaves us at the end of a journey that was never fully lived.
Very inspirational!
You have a knack for writing exactly what I need to read. Thanks 🙂
great information and excellent resource
As much as I enjoyed reading this post, I have to contradict you just a little bit. I LOVE being the age that I am (31). I have a 5-month-old son, I’m married to a wonderful man, and working in a field I love.
As fun as two was… I love being where I am now! These are definitely the best years of life!!
The best advice – EVER!
Thank you for sharing this, Michelle! I remember as a kid that I wanted to grow up too quickly too and just do what grown ups do. I am also entering my mid-30s, and now I realize that it’s so awesome to just be a kid again. I know I cannot go back in time, but I just enjoy childhood through my two children’s eyes. And you are so right, we have to BE PRESENT and just ENJOY THE JOURNEY! Thank you for this reminder, I always find myself hurrying because there is so much on my “to do” list. Your post is such an inspiration—THANK YOU! Keep up the great work with this blog…. this is one of the things that make me HAPPY! =) Have a wonderful weekend!
Wow, I really needed to hear that, really right at this moment. It made me smile; the message was so simple and sweet.
Thank you
Events by WE
Thank you! That is exactly what I needed to hear today!
Kids teach us so many things! Love this…
As a newbie I am desperately trying to quickly bloom my little wedding planning business overnight into the sensation that it is in my head. I thank you for the reminder that the journey is as important as the destination.
Thank you so much for writing this post Michelle! It was EXACTLY what I needed to read as I sit in bed at 12:29am with my eyes getting heavy) working on my dream and looking forward to the future. I am a firm believer of trying my best to be present each and every day. Thanks again for the great reminder and on that note…nighty nite!
I love this post… it rings soo true in my life. I am probably much like your daughter… when I was young I couldn’t wait to be older.. I couldn’t wait until that next milestone when I could drive, or I could date, or live on my own, or work in a real job… I often have to stop and smell the roses, look around and see all the beautiful things around me that I have accomplished or have been blessed with in my life. I am constantly trying to grow my business so that I can get to that moment of “aghh.. I am officially THERE” and I have to tell myself to stop, listen, and reflect on what you have done and where you want to go.. This life goes by so fast and in the end I know I will get where I want to be… it’s the ride and the journey that makes the difference and help mold me to get my end result. Thanks for this great post… soo eye opening and just what I needed to be reminded of. Thank you!!