Last year, a tree in our back yard was split in half by a storm leaving a branch barely hanging on. The next day, my husband decided to attempt to save the tree by picking up the limp branch that was bent towards the ground. He carefully put it back where it should be hanging and tied a piece of cloth around it to fasten it into place. We watched the next few days as the leaves on that branch began to dry up, wither and fall to the ground. We were unsure if the cloth would do the trick in repairing the branch and keeping the tree alive. A year later, we looked at the tree as it began to bloom with beautiful, bright-colored leaves and my daughter exclaimed, “Daddy saved the tree!”

Many times, life deals a blow so hard that it crushes us and breaks us away from our comfort zone and life-giving source. Like the tree, someone must come along and restore and heal us. After a process of healing and regeneration, we can rise like the tree and make beautiful leaves. What once appeared to be dead and without hope, can live. Don’t give up on your dream! It doesn’t matter how many storms you’ve endured or how many times you’ve gone through the process of resurrecting that “dead” thing, you can and will make a beautiful masterpiece. Be resilient and bounce back.  Embrace your story and let it help others in their journey. Your dream is still alive!

~Coletta Jones Patterson

*Coletta is an author, business executive, life/business coach and speaker who is passionate about helping others go beyond stuck. Her latest book, “Beyond Stuck: Creating the Life You Want” is available on Amazon.com. Connect with Coletta at info@moveu4ward.com.