Better Late Than Never

My wife Michelle got interested in baking sourdough about a year and a half ago. I did some research about what it took to make that a reality. I then ordered a sourdough starter from Etsy back in November 2022 to give to her as a Christmas gift, but since then it has been sitting in storage, waiting for its moment. Recently, Michelle felt inspired to pick up the project again, and she has been diving into it ever since. I'll admit, I’m biased as her biggest fan, but her sourdough-making skills have taken off quickly. She now bakes beautiful loaves that are full of flavor. She's practiced so much that we’ve quickly developed a surplus, so she has begun delivering loaves to people (seemingly) randomly - kind of like leaving your windows down during zucchini season; beware, you might end up with a loaf!

Michelle’s sourdough journey led me to these three thoughts on better late than never.

1. It's Not Too Late to Embrace Something That Excites You

We all have those things we've put off for one reason or another. Maybe it's a hobby, a project, or a skill we've always wanted to learn. While it can be intimidating, it’s never too late to dive into something that excites you. The sourdough starter sat untouched for months, but once she picked it up, Michelle found joy and fulfillment in it. I truly believe the right time to start is whenever you decide to begin.

2. Perfection Is an Ideal, Not a Destination

When starting something new, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that we need to be perfect right away. But perfection is an ongoing process, not a destination. Michelle didn’t bake perfect loaves from the start. She tried, learned, and tried again, improving each time. Each loaf got better; each mistake taught her something new. It’s important to embrace the journey of learning and growing rather than fixating on perfection. Excellence doesn’t come through unearned feedback. The best way to achieve excellence is through persistence and a willingness to learn when we fall short of our target.

3. Share Your Passion with Others

One of the most beautiful things about finding a passion is sharing it with others. Michelle’s joy in baking sourdough has extended beyond our home as she shares her loaves with friends and neighbors. The truth is, you are often more amazing than you give yourselves credit for. Don’t be greedy—share your awesomeness with others! Your passion and skills can bring joy and inspiration to those around you. When we share what we love, we build connections and spread happiness. It’s a ripple effect that has a cascading impact on our community.

That leads me to this week’s challenge… Take at least one step forward in something you’re passionate about or even just a little curious about. You don’t need to have the entire map or know what the final destination looks like to get started. Just take that first step and see where it leads you. Start the journey, learn from each experience, and share your progress with others.

I’m thankful that you went to work today, that you took time to read this, and that you’re a part of what makes this world amazing.