Contrary to popular belief

blog

I love to send cards in the mail.  I am always on the lookout for witty, pithy, quotable cards – and when I find a good one, I buy it, regardless of whether I have someone to send it to or not.  Sooner or later, a situation warranting the card is bound to arise.

About a year ago, I saw one of those square cards – the ones that cost extra for postage – with a George Eliot quote on the front:

“IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO BE WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN.”

As a person who is all about pursuing dreams, I bought it, thinking that someday, one of my friends would have a huge career change, or do something crazy just because it brought them life.  But for all of the wonderful things that my friends have done and are doing, for some reason, this card has sat in my stack for months.

I had no idea that it was for me.

There is a God who says that he is making all things new.  And it recently occurred to me that it is never too late to be what I might have been.  It’s not too late.  I’m not too old.  I’m not too broken.

Be encouraged.  The same goes for you.

share:

16 Comments

  1. Greta on August 10, 2009 at 9:38 AM

    I told my mom yesterday, “Annie always sends the best cards. She finds the BEST cards.”

    One– with a birthday present or two– is making its way south-east to you.

    Love you friend.

  2. annie on August 10, 2009 at 10:35 AM

    Love it.

  3. Crystal on August 10, 2009 at 11:13 AM

    The square cards are always a cut above the others! They actually make normal envelopes for them now so you don’t have to waste the extra stamp :)

  4. Sarah on August 10, 2009 at 11:20 AM

    Oh Annie. I love the square cards and I needed this post more than you could ever know.

  5. Little AP on August 10, 2009 at 11:29 AM

    Amen. :) The extra postage is always worth it.

  6. Allison on August 10, 2009 at 11:48 AM

    I also needed to hear this today. Love that quote. Thanks for sharing!

  7. Marijke on August 10, 2009 at 12:23 PM

    I JUST got this quote in the form of a bookmark from a coworker. And in fact, I didn’t actually “receive” it. I saw it and told him how much I liked it and he let me have it. And I just looked at it again last night at home and thought about what a great quote that is.

    Truly.

  8. Mandy on August 10, 2009 at 10:21 PM

    Okay so usually I don’t do this because it is rather annoying when people do it to me, but since you LOVE sending cards, you may want to check out my website. Just a thought–no pressure. http://www.sendoutcards.com/59415

  9. Greta on August 10, 2009 at 11:14 PM

    This post makes me want to take piano lessons. And gymnastics. And yoga. And ride horses.

  10. Greta on August 10, 2009 at 11:15 PM

    And collect the eggs.

  11. Greta on August 10, 2009 at 11:15 PM

    I just got a message from your blog when I tried to post the last comment:

    “You are posting comments too quickly. Slow down.”

    Bahahahaha.

  12. sarah on August 11, 2009 at 12:06 AM

    I love the message Greta got.

    And this post was incredibly sweet. I, like everyone else, needed to hear it.

  13. Steph on August 11, 2009 at 12:26 AM

    I LOVE those cards! And, I love that you bought one that ended up being for you. 1 week before The Bar, I found one that I got for myself: “The shell must break before the bird can fly.” :)

    Lovey you!

  14. hootenannie » Blog Archive » Hindsight on August 11, 2009 at 8:52 AM

    […] Contrary to popular belief […]

  15. Anastasia "Annie" Watson on August 11, 2009 at 8:37 PM

    I work as an Enrollment Counselor for a private liberal arts college in Kansas. My job is to encourage adults who never had the opportunity to finish their degrees to take the scary steps toward actually reaching their goals. I use this Eliot quote to help remind many of my students to have courage and to believe in reality of their dreams. Seeing them at their graduation ceremonies (and sometimes watching their grandchildren cheering them on) is priceless! I hope you continue to find those little pieces of strength, and continue to share them with us! Dream on, girl!

  16. sarah on August 11, 2009 at 10:37 PM

    annie, i’ve been reading your blog for awhile now but this post has finally forced me to show my face… as i am in the process of packing it all up and starting over (again), and facing what seems like hurdles to leap over, muddy tires to run through and uber tall brick walls to climb over,george eliot’s and your words are a reminder that it’s never too late nor impossible for God’s dreams for my life to happen.

    that might just be the longest sentence i’ve ever written. all to say… thank you!

Leave a Comment