In my first book, I compared the birth of a dream to giving birth to a child. The Law of Gestation helps us understand why patience is not only wise, but necessary—and why it’s perfectly okay if success doesn’t show up exactly when we expect it to. After all, we want both our babies and our dreams to arrive fully formed.

(Continued below...)

Watch: I Can’t Sleep
Read my book free here

This analogy also helps us stay in the right mindset through the natural ebb and flow of achieving goals. Things go well, then they don’t, and then they do again. We often see that as a problem. But the Law of Polarity reminds us there’s good even in the struggle, and the Law of Rhythm helps us make sense of the ups and downs. The birthing metaphor captures it all beautifully—it’s like being in labor.

Labor is the final stage before the arrival of both babies and dreams. Conception may have happened a long time ago, but once labor kicks in, the delivery is near. At first, the discomfort is just enough to get your attention, but still manageable. Then, as labor intensifies, the pain can feel unbearable—sometimes even life-threatening. It’s not for the faint of heart.

In that final transition, the waves of pain can come so close together and last so long, it may feel like there’s no relief at all. But that intensity is actually nature’s way of signaling: you’re almost there. Each contraction, each pain, is progress—even if it’s not immediately visible.

So if you’ve been nurturing a dream that was conceived long ago, and now it feels like one challenge after another is hitting you with barely a moment to catch your breath—you may be closer than ever to breakthrough. As long as you don’t give up now. Focus on the joy you’re working toward. Let hope grow into expectation. The struggle won’t be for nothing.

Don’t give up. Sometimes the breakthrough comes only after you’ve done all you can possibly do—or when there’s no turning back and no option but to surrender. If that’s where you are now (and only you can answer that honestly), then the next step is to give it to God. Trust.

Related: How to Surrender and Why You’d Want To

Someone who’s never experienced this kind of exertion can’t fully grasp the euphoria and triumph that comes on the other side. You might catch a glimpse of it through stories, books, or films about people who dare to dream, believe, struggle, and ultimately succeed—but it’s nothing like living it yourself.

Just remember: feelings come in pairs.
If you feel discouraged, then encouragement is available to you.
If you feel defeated, then victory is within reach.
If you feel inadequate, then strength, wisdom, and all that you lack can be given to you.

"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. ...
Ye are the light of the world. ...
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
(Matthew 5:3–16)

There is no question without an answer.
No need without a remedy.
No pain without a salve.

If you’re experiencing only one side of the equation, circle back and ask:
“What can I do today to strengthen or improve my relationship with God?”
Because...

With God, all things are possible.

You don’t have to go it alone.

So…

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit—
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow—
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor’s cup;

And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out—
The silver tint in the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,
It might be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit—
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.
(Author Unknown)

It’s your turn. Be the hero in your story. Don’t give up. Show up today by taking another step forward.

So... what will you do today?

_________________

•   To discover how to start choosing more effectively now, read The Jackrabbit Factor (FREE!)  
•   If you want more step-by-step guidance on creating the life you really want, join me in the Mindset Mastery program.
•   If you want my help overcoming that giant obstacle right in front of you, learn more and sign up for Genius Bootcamp.