This living out loud… in color…
BOLDY.
Because, sometimes things don’t go the way you want them to. Even when you are surrounded by a cheering squad that has your back and roots for you with unfettered abandon.
Because, somewhere along the way, things are going to take a left turn. And someone is going to stand in front of you with their orange vest zipped up to the bottom of their collar. They are going to put their whistle in their mouth and as soon as they see you approach, blow as hard as they can.
And it might catch you off guard.
You might be driving along, admiring the beautiful landscape of the Blue Ridge mountains, and marveling in wonder as they turn purple against the sunset… and just as you look down to change the radio station because that awful song about dancing the Mambo violates your ear-space, and
BAM!
Out of the blue, there they are, blasting their whistle and holding up their hand right in front of your face, demanding that you STOP.
And you slam on the brakes just in the nick of time… avoiding a nasty three car pile up and a bloody mess.
And when you stop, adrenaline racing through your veins, you try to catch your breath. And you brush the unexpected tears from your eyes.
You didn’t plan on having this momentary delay.
But what do you do with it? Are you going to let it keep you from your destination… that place that you’ve planned for and packed for and BOLDY set out to find?
No. You are going to use this time to reassess and be objective about this unexpected bump in the road… You are going to pull down that visor, open the mirror, and take a good look into your own red-rimmed eyes.
And you are going to understand that this journey is a process and you are going to hold your head up and keep shooting for the stars.
Because the delay is just a temporary one…just a minor blip on the radar… And that deputy is going to step out of the way, and when he does, you have to be ready to put your foot on the gas and get back on the journey.
And you have to forget all about how he stopped you… how he caught you off guard.
And when you do that…. keep your focus and travel on. Because you know, in your heart, that this journey is the right one.
And when you know it is the right one, you can’t let anyone or anything discourage you.
Not this time.
Not ever.
And every time you see that traffic stop, because chances are, it’ll happen again, you remember that this is what the Bold ones do…
They never, never, never give up. (Click to Tweet)
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Love this post, Gwen! Thanks for sharing it today! Good timing.
Courtenay recently posted..DIY Monogram Tissue Box Cover
OH, I’m SO glad, Courtney! Thank you so much for taking the time to read it…
Gwen recently posted..What the Bold Ones Do.
Great, great post.
That orange vest pops up again and again…gotta roll with it, baby!
Tina recently posted..Winner Winner Chicken Dinner
Yes, you do, my friend… yes, you do! And, I do have to say, rolling can be quite fun… especially when it involves toilet paper… but shhhhh… don’t tell anyone!
Gwen recently posted..What the Bold Ones Do.
Fantastic Gwen- and timely too. Thank you for sharing.
Melissa-TheHappierHomemaker recently posted..DIY Pillows with World Market
Thank you so much, Melissa!
Gwen recently posted..What the Bold Ones Do.
Gwen…this is incredible. As I was reading this it was as if you were talking to me…personally. Like a friend who cares. Thank you for this…I hope all is well with you.
Ann recently posted..South Carolina Cotton Bolls
I DO care, Ann!!! And I’m so glad to count you among my friends…
I hope YOU are doing well!
Gwen recently posted..What the Bold Ones Do.
Oh I forgot. Adore your footer.
Ann recently posted..South Carolina Cotton Bolls
Hehehe… Thanks, Ann!
Gwen recently posted..What the Bold Ones Do.
You go girl! You’re obviously doing the right thing as your words are so true and heartfelt. Keep up the Bold work!
Jill recently posted..A Thrifted Mid-Century Redo
Oh, Jill…
Thank you…
Gwen recently posted..What the Bold Ones Do.
Awesome Gwen! Thanks for the reminder!
Ali recently posted..SALE – SALE – SALE
Thanks, Ali! You’re awesome…
Gwen recently posted..What the Bold Ones Do.
Beautifully written! It sort of took my breath away.
Lynn Guinn recently posted..Hey Tim Holtz! Look What I Made With Your Paper!
Oh, Lynn… Hearing you say that gives me chills!
Thank you. So much.
Gwen recently posted..What the Bold Ones Do.
Beautiful and inspiring!
Holly Lefevre recently posted..Pick Your Poison! Warm Beverage "Bar"
Thank you so much, Holly!
Gwen recently posted..What the Bold Ones Do.
Great post
Thank you for sharing!
jessica@fourgenerationsoneroof recently posted..Hometalk Styles: Country farmhouse pinterest board
Thank you, Jessica… and thank you for reading!
Great post! Never give up is right. Anything IS possible … even in the darkest days.
Karah @ thespacebetweenblog recently posted..can’t even catch my breath
Yes, Karah!!! It is… sometimes the mind can really trick you into believing the opposite, can’t it!
Thanks, girl! Spread your boldness all around…
Gwen recently posted..What the Bold Ones Do.
Great post Gwen!
Thanks for taking time to read it, Clydia! May Boldness abound!
Gwen recently posted..What the Bold Ones Do.
Oh Gwen, isn’t the Lord’s timing impeccable?? =)
And now for all the songs that your sweet post has inspired me to hum … ummm, thanks?
Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’, keep them doggies rollin’!
Don’t Stop… Believing!
Keep on Keepin’ On
The Facts of Life theme song (random, I know)
Hold On (Wilson Phillips? Where did that come from??)
Thing Can Only Get Better
Oh good, the last one I can live with for a while. =)
Jenni recently posted..Foster Family Up-to-Date Update
I LOVE it!!!
Now, I’m going to be singing that Wilson Phillips song in my head all day… hahaha!!!
Gwen recently posted..What the Bold Ones Do.
You must have written this just for me. I KNOW that you know why I’m saying this. Thanks for the smile and the reminder….I’m gonna find my sassy shoes…and my sunglasses…and tomorrow, I’m gonna get a little “attitude” to go with them! Thanks, girlfriend. I shared with my peeps…’cuz heaven knows, we all need a little help from our friends sometimes! xo
Kimberly from Serendipity Refined recently posted..Rain and a Basement "Reveal" with a Twist
We do… we all need a little help sometimes! Thanks, girl!
Gwen recently posted..What the Bold Ones Do.
Truer words were never spoken.
And now I too have Wilson Phillips all up in my head
Bella (@weheartDIY) recently posted..Freebie: September 2012 Printable Calendar
Oh, Bella…
Now, I’m going to have that song in my head again… ha!
Gwen recently posted..What the Bold Ones Do.
YOU are bold and more than a little fabulous.
Adventuresindinner recently posted..Pin’inspiring!
Oh, Jane…
You are too, my friend!!!
Gwen recently posted..What the Bold Ones Do.
Your timing couldn’t be better… I was really thinking of giving up today, in so many ways. Thanks for this Gwen!
Anne recently posted..Creating A Cottage Style Mirror
Oh, Anne! I am thankful to hear it! I can’t tell you how many days I have where I just feel like throwing in the towel…
I hope you are having a great weekend!
Gwen recently posted..What the Bold Ones Do.
Well said G-Dawg!! I needed this little pep talk on a Monday morning ! Hugs!!
Heather recently posted..Easy Bling Pumpkin DIY
Hugs right back at you!
Hope you have an AMAZING week, Heather!
Gwen recently posted..What the Bold Ones Do.