Are you dragging around excess baggage?
Is there “stuff” taking up space that you need to dump overboard so you can pick up some speed?
Chasing Dreams
I’ve been struggling with this issue lately, and it reminded me of a period in our country’s history.
Each spring from 1841-1861 Independence, Missouri, was crowded with thousands of emigrants preparing for the 2170-mile trek we now call the Oregon Trail.
Here merchants competed for the opportunity to furnish emigrants with supplies and equipment for their journey west.
A family of four would need over a thousand pounds of food to sustain them on the five-month trip to Oregon.
Loaded Down or Overloaded?
Most emigrants loaded their covered wagons to the brim with food, farm implements, and furniture.
The journey began, but within a few miles most emigrants realized they had overloaded their wagons. Unless their loads were lightened, they would never be able to make the arduous journey across the plains.
Their only choice–if they wanted to go the distance and attain their dream destination–was to start throwing things out.
What’s Hindering You?
Do you identify with these emigrants? Have you overloaded YOUR wagon?
Are there things (activities, hobbies, interests, bad habits) that you need to dump if you’re going to make a successful journey as a writer in 2013?
Remember, those pioneers weren’t throwing out things that didn’t matter. They were giving up precious possessions in order to fulfill their dreams.
What have you given up for your writing? Fulfilling our dreams usually requires sacrifice.
- What have you “tossed overboard” in order to devote some time to your writing?
- What was the easiest to let go of?
- What was hardest?
- What is still hindering you that needs to go?
Take a moment and share!