How it all works together for you

Start enjoying the journey today, wherever you’re at on the path.

I have a confession, mis amigos.

I originally drafted my blog notes to you this week on life and language learning about finding ‘your happy place.’

I wanted to remind you that no matter what your lifestyle, no matter what you are naturally most passionate and excited about, you can successfully learn a second language and live your best bilingual life.

As an example, I riffed on my love of tennis, and how it's actually supported me in my own third-language journey in French, although you might not expect those two separate passions to overlap in any way.

I also wanted to tempt you with a picture of the Northern California coast, where I had escaped to the beach over the Labor Day weekend in the midst of a massive heat wave.

"Welcome to your happy place."

"When you're doing what you love, it all works for you."

Then, quite suddenly, my personal happy place I was writing from changed as the skies in California (and much of the rest of the West Coast) clouded over with a depressing new weather system created entirely by smoke and ash from seemingly countless, raging wildfires.

The sky turned hellishly dark and orange.

The air became officially "very unhealthy" to breathe.

My family members' homes and safety were threatened.

It didn't really feel right to hit 'send' on an email welcoming you to your happy place, or to share mine.

At least, not without completing the message.

If learning another language is a desire on your heart, then I promise you, all your other desires will SUPPORT it, not take away from it. You don't have to choose between desires as if they were competing; simply commit to choose to follow your desires.

That is your happy place. That is how you become fluent in a way that fits your lifestyle. When you let it come naturally.

And yet.

You won't always be in a particularly happy place in your life. You will sometimes find yourself in a gloomy, sad, depressing, or frustrating place.

The skies will cloud over. It will feel like the end of your dreams, at least for awhile, if not the end of the world (like it felt in California this week!).

So here's the second part of the message:

When you're in that other place, that not-so-happy place, your desires will continue to support you as well when you continue to choose them.

The hell and brimstone weather this week brought my spirits low...but watching live tennis on TV has been a bright spot and given me a great source of entertainment while I stay indoors and out of the smoky air.

The events and weather had an equal effect on my students, who were feeling anxious, frustrated, and stressed as well...but our live language coaching sessions brought joy, laughter, and that sense of support and connection that comes from true community into our week.

So if you're still feeling like now's "not the right time" to start doing what you love and pursue your goals...

Let’s chat in my latest episode of #SpanishSaturday. Click below to join the conversation.

Your language coach,

P.S. - I would be remiss not to include something else heavy on all our hearts and minds today: the 19th anniversary of September 11th, 2001. For many, this day will always represent tragedy on a personal and national level, as well as sacrifice and heroism. We will never forget.

The message that Brian Sweeney left to his wife Jill after his plane had been hijacked says it best:

"Jules, this is Brian listen, I'm on an airplane that's been hijacked.

"If things don't go well, and it's not looking good, I just want you to know I absolutely love you, I want you to do good, go have good times, same to my parents and everybody, and I just totally love you, and I'll see you when you get there. Bye, babe. I hope I call you."

#dogood #havegoodtimes #neverforget