Stretch Yourself



Rough Sketch from "Turtles Can't Race"


I'm working on a new book called, "Turtles Can't Race."

And as happens with all my projects, I'm being reminded of valuable life lessons.

Ted wants to race. All the members of his family tell him that he can't. They have various reasons, some just mean, some out of caring, and some about facing facts.

Ted holds onto his dream. He continues to do his stretches everyday, eats right, drinks plenty of water and eventually does enter a race.

It's easy to let go of dreams for all the 'right' reasons. They can't logically come true. Maybe we aren't talented enough. Maybe we'll get hurt.

But usually dreams won't let go of us. Maybe we shouldn't fight them. Aren't we hurt just as bad when we work hard to ignore our dreams? Why not do our stretches everyday? Why not gently push away all the reasons people give us to not try?

Why not agree to do our stretches everyday, drink plenty of water, eat food that nourishes us, and live a life that is a journey toward a dream?

My experience is that living a life believing in a dream much better than the alternative.