I recently had the honor of getting to meet Rachel Hollis at her book tour for her latest book coming out called Girl Wash Your Face. (Side note: This book changed my life and you absolutely need it in your life!) The night was incredible and everything I dreamed of. She gave everyone a pin to stick to their shirt that said “Made for More.” That one little button was handed to me before I had the chance to speak to her. That little button-in the midst of trying to navigate a store filled with one hundred plus women- had my head going a thousand thoughts a minute.

I was lucky to have a tribe growing up that told me that I could do anything I put my mind to. When I was younger I truly believed it. Somewhere along the way I started to believe it a little less. This of course was never something I could admit out loud, so instead I would just aim a little lower. For most people, I guess where I was aiming seemed normal, but I wanted more. I didn’t want a corporate 9-5, I wanted dreams much larger. Dreams and aspirations that brought butterflies to my stomach when even thinking about admitting them out loud.

I slowly started to chase this dream of being a writer in June 2017.

I used excuse after excuse of reasons I couldn’t give it my all. Until January. In January I was able to move back into my house after Hurricane Harvey hit in August. In January I didn’t have anymore excuses. I chose the first week to give it my all and made a commitment to myself that I wouldn’t stop. I would put my goals first.

Then BAMB, something hard came up. I was bit by a dog and had to spend some money at the urgent care. After being home for a solid ten minutes our washing machine broke for the millionth time. Reasons that would have in the past, given me an excuse to not put effort into my dream. I reminded myself that I would not give up this time. It didn’t matter that it hurt like hell to type, I was going to give it my all.

The following weekend my dedication was put to the test.

My parents informed me that they were getting a divorce. My world felt incredibly broken and lost. The post that I had assigned weeks in advance to be posted that very next day was “The Secret to an Amazing Marriage.” It didn’t seem fit to post anymore. I wanted to use this as an excuse to give myself another break from chasing my dreams but instead I decided to write something else because after all, this time I was not quitting.

Four days later I was on my way to Dallas for the book tour. I was so nervous about getting to meet Rachel. It was something I had rehearsed over and over in my head. Months before getting this opportunity, I had sent her a Facebook message telling her how appreciative I was of her and my dream was to one day speak at her annual conference RISE. She didn’t respond. I felt somewhat embarrassed that I had shared such a huge dream of mine with one of my heroes and she had said nothing. Obviously, I realize that she gets five trillion messages a day but somehow I still felt bummed.

I was made for more.

When we walked into the boutique where the tour was held, we were handed the simple pin I told you about earlier. “Made for More.” I was made for more. More than just to be the girl who simply said hello and thanked her favorite author for signing her book. I was made for more than just a broken-heart story with no spectacular come-back. I was made for more.

My moment arrived and she smiled and said “Hi!” I fan-girled way too much to appear even slightly cool. Before I had a chance to second guess it, I thought about that pin and told her “one of my biggest goals is to speak at rise.” I am so beyond grateful I took the opportunity. That I believed I was made for more. She screamed, “Yes! I love that” and shared with me what her goal platforms were.

I can’t wait to have this be my opening story when I speak at Rise one day. There are people who accept their reality and then there are people who create it. You were made for more. What is your more?

Want to know how I stay so motivated? Check it out here.