Every once in a while, I come across something that reminds me why I keep showing up for the dreams that matter most.
This week, it was SUFFS, a Tony Award winning musical.
Yesterday, I watched it on PBS’s YouTube channel before seeing it live in Chicago – TONIGHT! I’ve always loved musicals, and while I was familiar with the women’s suffrage movement, I wanted to learn more about this particular story and its music before seeing it on stage.
I’m so glad I did.
I was inspired by the women who dedicated years, and in many cases their entire lives, to expanding women’s rights. They didn’t all agree on the best path forward. They tried different approaches. They learned from setbacks. They adapted. They kept showing up. They experienced victories, disappointments, hope, and heartbreak.
What inspired me most was their willingness to continue because they believed the cause was worth it, even knowing they might not be the ones to experience the full impact of their efforts. Their perseverance helped create opportunities for generations that followed.
As I thought about their journey, I couldn’t help but think about my own dreams and the work I’m called to do. I was having a moment of self-doubt about my work, and this musical reenergized me!
One of the ways I bring that hope into the world is through my Million Hug Mission. At the rate I’m going, it’s unlikely I’ll personally reach one million hugs. Does that make the mission any less worthwhile? Not even a little. Every hug reminds someone they matter. Every conversation creates a connection. Every act of kindness has the potential to ripple farther than I’ll ever know.
And the Million Hug Mission is just one expression of what I hope to bring into the world.
Whether it’s through coaching, speaking, writing, offering hugs, or my humanitarian justice work, my hope is the same: to help people know they matter and encourage them to step into living a life that they love.
Watching SUFFs reminded me that some dreams are accomplished in our lifetime, while others continue through the lives we touch. Either way, if the dream helps make the world a little better, it’s worth pursuing.
That made me wonder…
Are you continuing to move toward the dream that’s on your heart? Or has frustration, doubt, or the length of the journey made you question whether it’s worth it?
If it’s something that truly matters to you, I hope you’ll keep going. Keep learning. Keep growing. Keep adapting when needed. Keep taking one small, bold step after another.
Because some dreams are simply… still worth it.
Moving forward, I invite you to
Remember why your dream matters.
When progress feels slower than you’d hoped, it’s easy to focus on how far you still have to go. Instead, reconnect with the reason your dream is important to you. Your “why” can provide the encouragement to keep taking the next step.
Focus on today’s step.
You don’t have to know exactly how everything will unfold. Ask yourself what one small, bold step you can take today. Then let that be enough for today.
Be willing to adjust your approach.
The women of the suffrage movement didn’t succeed by doing the same thing over and over. They learned, adapted, collaborated, and continued moving forward. You can stay committed to your dream while remaining open to new ways of reaching it.
Keep going because it matters.
Not every meaningful dream is measured by whether we personally see the finish line. Sometimes the greatest impact comes from choosing to keep showing up, knowing your efforts may inspire or benefit people you’ll never meet.
Some of the most meaningful changes in history happened because ordinary people chose not to give up on extraordinary dreams.
Your dream doesn’t have to be something that changes the world.
It simply needs to be something that helps you become more fully who you are.
When you live with purpose, share your gifts, and take one small, bold step toward what matters most, you leave the world a little better than you found it. And I think that’s a dream worth pursuing.
One small, bold step at a time.
Affirmation
I boldly pursue what matters most.
Sounds for Your Soul