Big Dreams- Why Starting Is the Most Important Part
For me, the hardest part about writing is the beginning. The hardest part about anything is the beginning. When you say you want to go for a run, the most difficult part is taking the first step. Staring at a blank page, the hardest part is the first word, the first sentence.
Recently, I read The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. To be completely honest, I had never given a thought about starting a blog until after I finished reading. I felt like the author was almost yelling at me, calling me to take a chance and try something new. But, the start of something strange and unfamiliar is often scary. I love writing, but I’ve never actively pursued it until now. I have always been too afraid to share my thoughts out loud, even on paper.
A quote from this book has stuck with me. It said, “Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, magic, and power in it. Begin it now.” (Pressfield, The War of Art) When I read this, my first thought was seriously an episode of Jane the Virgin (which if you haven’t seen, you totally should watch it). Jane is an aspiring writer, but she doesn’t believe in herself in the slightest. She meets Raphael, who leaves her with one thought: be brave. I know it was just a telenovela, but the idea of being brave is something I’m not accustomed to.
To me, being brave means diving headfirst into the deep end of a pool of uncertainty. You are taking a chance, most often on yourself, without knowing what the result will be. This thought is terrifying to me, because I constantly worry about the what-ifs. I’m a planner through and through, and I love having every detail accounted for when I begin something. That’s why starting this blog was such a challenge for me.
I think the reason we often put off our true passions in life is because finding the courage to go after them is the first step, and the first step is always the scariest. I believe this ties into the idea of failing. If we never start, we can’t fail, right? Never trying eliminates the possibility of defeat and rejection. We have to be like Jane, and push on against the odds. (Seriously, go watch that show). We have to start being brave.
And yes, I’m mostly talking to myself. 2019 was a year of major growth for me, and I’m slowly learning how to be bold and bet on myself, but it hasn’t been easy. And then 2020 hit and threw me more curve balls than I can count. And I know you’ve been there, too. This year wasn’t easy for anyone, but it taught me how to be patient with myself and those around me. We’re all just doing the best we can.
I’ve had a lot of help along the way from the amazing people who have come into my life, and even from those who left me with lessons learned. This year has taught me how to better value myself and what I have to offer the world.
But anyways, back to this quote.
I agree with Pressfield when he says that boldness has magic, genius, and power. Beginnings are often daring and attention grabbing, yet enchanting. Why do you think fairy tales start with “Once upon a time, in a kingdom far, far away…”? Magic. They are also genius, because anyone who starts anything and shares their knowledge is a genius in my book. And, beginnings are powerful. We can start something powerful, in our own ways, if we choose to be resolute. We just have to go for it.
Beginnings are magical, yes, but going from a blank page in a book to a complete novel can take time. The takeaway from this section of the book for me was that you have to start. Sure, the creation of something new can be a daunting task. But once you start, if it’s truly your purpose, there’s no running away from that magic. Once you take that first step, just one small leap of faith, there’s no limit to what you can do. So whatever you can do, just begin… begin it now.
