Do It Scared

Do It Scared

~ Janice Wright

Heights by great men reached and kept

Were not attained by sudden flight

But they while their companions slept

Were toiling upwards through the night

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I grew up hearing this poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. We had to learn it at school. I can say it in my sleep - but what does it mean?

Heights -

rising, succeeding, realizing dreams, meeting goals.

By great men -

Great men? What about women - heights by great women reached and kept? 

Heights by great people.

Reached and kept! 

My journey has been more like a roller coaster - sometimes up and sometimes down. Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose. I have to learn from my losses but should I expect to always win? No, but I'll keep on going.

Were not attained by sudden flight. 

One step at a time. Never giving up. Not stopping. No matter what -

But they while their companions slept.

Late nights, early morning, doing it scared, doing it tired, doing the work - whatever it takes.

Were toiling upwards through the night.

Slow and steady. One hill at a time. One hurdle at a time. One test, one assignment at a time.

You can do it!

Do it scared!