I was talking with my daughter today while driving to grandma’s house.  She was grilling me as she usually does about all sort of things.  She’s very inquisitive and yearns to understand the nature of things.  She was so excited that a planetarium was coming to her school, and that she didn’t have to take a long bus ride to get to it, because it was COMING TO HER SCHOOL!

I instantly had a flash back to my childhood; how I’d lay out on the sidewalk, grass, slide, diving board, deck… anywhere really, and just look up at the nights sky.  I would lay their, taking in the beauty and vastness and how incomprehensible it all is.  I remember feeling so small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things.  I remember wondering what it would be like to experience weightlessness, I wondered if the moon was really made of cheese and if a man really was trapped inside.  I wondered about aliens and speculated that their HAD to be other life forms in distant galaxies and solar systems… the Universe was just too huge for there not to be.  As I grew up, I joined the Astronomy Club in Jr. High School, and would spend hours looking through my telescope; not just in the neighbors windows either! In high school, I was part of a new hybrid class that was created in conjunction with NASA, called Mars.  Our mission was to plan a trip to Mars, using knowledge we learned in chemistry, physics, astronomy, biology, trig, calc, literature, sociology, civics, etc.  It was the most fun I had in school. We came up with scenarios that NASA hadn’t thought of… and yet I still didn’t think I was smart enough.

This whole time my daughter was still talking, and going on and on about aliens and how she wants to be a scientist, possibly an astronomer so she could figure that mystery out once and for all. “Mommy, do you think aliens are really green? Do you think I’ll become a scientist?”

With that last question my heart broke. When I was her age I dreamed of becoming an astronaut. I read everything space related, got accepted into King Science Center, and begged and begged my parents to let me go to space camp. I was told that I wasn’t strong enough in math to be a scientist… I wasn’t good enough…. I gave up. This is a common theme in my life.

I immediately answered, “You can be anything you want to be, you just need to practice, study hard and really put your mind to it. Don’t let anyone tell you differently!. She smiled so big, and her face just beamed with delight. She opened up her space book and started reading.

I always find myself telling her; “Do your best”, “Shake it off, try again”, “Never say I can’t”, “Always remember I love you, no matter what.”, “Never doubt your ability, you can do anything you put your mind too.”, “Good Job! I’m so proud of you!”, “There is more than one way to skin a cat”, “Think it through, take your time”.

I don’t think enough children hear these things. I know I didn’t growing up, and I’m making sure my daughter does now. I’m also making a point of saying it to any little one I see, struggling, succeeding… trying. And as a matter of fact, I’m making a point to tell adults the same thing. Everyone needs to hear an encouraging word. Everyone! I even catch myself giving pep talks to myself during derby practice.

I’m looking forward to exploring space with my daughter, and anything else that tickles her fancy. Enjoying the journey and anticipating the destination. I know what ever she chooses in life, she will be successful.

Who have you encouraged today?