what a cinderella story taught me…

Do you guys remember the cult classic that is A Cinderella Story with Hilary Duff? I probably binged watched that movie so much as a teenager it’s not even funny. It’s simply a rom-com classic. And today I’m telling you to go rewatch it. Why? Because there’s a scene in that movie that I think we all need to pay attention to. Specifically a quote.

“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” 

Now I want you to look at this quote and replace the words “striking out” with “failure.” It brings it to a whole other level am I right?! Today as I remember these words, it hit me, something my husband always tells me, but I didn’t understand until today.

It’s ok to fail. And even more than that, it’s encouraged.

You see, no one ever gets where they want to go perfectly. You are human dear friend. You mess up. You take wrong turns. You fix your mistakes. And it’s time you stop chasing perfection and own the fact that you are probably going to fail before you succeed. And that’s OK! If we accomplished everything we set out to do perfectly the first time, I don’t think it would feel quite as satisfying, do you? There’s beauty in the struggle. There’s beauty in “I know where I want to be, and I’m trying really hard to get there.” Do you think if a baseball player won the World Series without striking out all season it would mean as much? No! Our successful breakthroughs are meaningful because they take so much work to get there.

Today I’m writing to encourage you, honestly because I need the same encouragement. Don’t live with the fear that you’re never going to matter. Don’t let that self doubt spiral into your heart and tell you you’re not enough. Don’t fear of striking out before you even step up to the plate.

Now my question for you is what’s your game? And I’m guessing it’s not baseball. 😉 What is that thing you are letting fear stop you from doing? Today I want you to look your fear in the eye and say, “You have no power over me.” Then run full force toward your game whatever that may be. And always remember that if you strike out 2 or 3 or 17 times, it’s OK, because sometimes we have to fail in order to grow into the person we were meant to be.