“And then, one day,” she whispered to herself, “all the things will be easy. All the distractions will be less distracting, and all the worries will be less worrisome. The path forward will be open and clear. Then,” she said to herself, “then, life will be wonderful. And also,” she added, “I will be wonderful.”

It’s a fractured fairytale. This idea that there will be perfect times in this world, perfect opportunities, perfect me. I know it’s not true, and yet my heart…well, my heart adores that fairytale. You can’t imagine the To Do list that my heart has created for when that fairytale comes true.

I’m going to lose weight. I’m going to write a book and get in shape and promptly answer all text messages. I’m going to read and study and be wise and peaceful and gracious. I’m going to redecorate my home in my own personal style. And also, apparently, I’m going to develop a personal style. I’m going to spread love and hope and joy to everyone I know. I’m going to be amazing.

Does anyone else have an impossible, implausible To Do list like that? A list of things that are never going to happen, mixed in with a few things that could conceivably happen if some actual effort were put forth? A list for someday when life is “just right,” when everything “falls into place” and “I have the time” and all those other things that we tell ourselves. Things that we tell ourselves that really just mean some day in that perfect future.

But there’s only this day, and the work and worries and distractions and pitfalls of this day. If we keep trying, sometimes we find a way to push back against those things, and we fit in the better stuff. We get a tiny bit closer to those dreams. We thank God for sunshine and blessings. We make some progress.

And some days we don’t. Sometimes we sink down at the end of the day and thank God that we made it through. Sometimes making it through is all we have strength for.

Hold up just a minute, girl. You are all over the map. What exactly is your point? Are you saying those dreams are all foolish and pointless? Life’s hard and then you die?

Goodness no, I’m not saying that all. I mean…it is, and you do. But it’s also incredible. And those dreams, those longings that you hold tight in your heart, are important. They mean something and they’re worth working for.

So you’re saying push through the pain? Seize the day?

Oh my stars, no! I am definitely not saying that. I’m not saying live every day as if it were your last. I’m not saying get focused and work smarter and make every second count. I’m exhausted just thinking about it.

Here’s what I’m saying.

Be gentle to yourself. You are already amazing. What you are not, is finished. You have talents to give, ways to grow, dreams to achieve. But it’s never going to be easy.

So if you can only take baby steps forward right now, then take baby steps. Crawl if you need to. Then on days when you can, take bigger steps. Jog a little. And when you’re able, when your strength is renewed…

On those days, trust in God and soar.