Standing on the shoreline looking out into the Gulf from the West Coast of Florida, there are sometimes visible sandbars out in the distance. These sandbars pop out with an inviting shimmer, luring you to go to it.
But in order to get to the sandbar, you often have to wade through deeper water. Sometimes it is only knee deep. And other times the water gets so deep that you feel weightless, off-balance, like you’ve lost all footing and are drifting, with your head just above water.
But then, suddenly, softly, your foot hits bottom.
You reached the sandbar.
As you continue up to the sand that peeks just above the water level, you catch your breath. Reset your bearings. And look around at the glorious spot this sandbar has brought you to.
Not connected land. Only a destination that promises tranquility and solid ground. Relaxing. Beautiful.
And you are changed. Accomplished.
In Life, we all come to these deeper places in between the safety of the shore and the beauty of the destination.
Where we’re no longer who we were, and not yet who we’re becoming.
Where we’ve shed a version of ourselves but haven’t stepped fully into the new one.
It’s scary.
It’s humbling.
It’s holy.
But in time, solid ground rises up beneath you.
Your intuition strengthens.
Your voice steadies.
Your next right step appears.
You realize the sandbar didn’t appear by chance.
It’s always been part of your becoming.
Motherhood is full of sandbar seasons.
The toddler years when the days blur and you wonder if you’re getting any of it right.
The teenage phase when you’re navigating distance and closeness in the same breath.
The empty nest shift when you ask yourself who you are now, when you’re no longer needed in the same way.
And just when you feel like you’re drifting… something grounds you.
A shared laugh.
A soft hug.
A quiet “thanks, Mom” that comes out of nowhere.
A sandbar.
Enough to remind you that love still holds.
Entrepreneurship, too, can feel like the deep water in between.
You start strong. Then the footing drops out beneath your feet. The plan doesn’t work the way you thought. You question whether you can reach the dream destination.
But then: a breakthrough conversation. A quiet yes.
An unexpected new client. A moment of clarity.
A sandbar.
Just enough to remind you why you started.
And that you’re not as deep underwater as you feared.
So if you feel adrift right now,
In your parenting, your work, your life,
Just keep going.
The ground will meet you soon.
Your feet will touch down and you will rise above the water in a more beautiful place.
“When you are headed in the direction of your dream, just keep going, even in deep water, and the ground will find you and lead you forward.” – Patti Jewel
Just Keep Walking. Step with Love. Always forward.
