Have you ever heard the elevator analogy? I read about it and thought it was the greatest thing. It was on a parenting blog (please don’t judge- we all get our nuggets of wisdom in different places, and parenting blogs are one of mine). It essentially says that going through life is like riding an elevator. As your elevator rises to higher levels (an analogy for reaching for higher goals and having bigger dreams), you will have people who get off the elevator. They are not headed to the same floor as you, and that’s ok. And sometimes, you will travel several floors with the elevator empty, which can get a little lonely. But by allowing people to get off at lower floors, you now have space for new people to get on. And this is the big point-New people always get on. You have to keep the faith that new people will come, that they too are headed for higher floors, and are a good fit for the person you are growing into. 

How amazing is it to realize that sometimes, as you grow, relationships come and go? And what a great lesson for the kids. Honey, they just aren’t headed to the same place you are, and that’s ok. What a freeing thought. Graham and I are in the business of building relationships. We work hard to keep the people who matter close, but it doesn’t always work, and if that is just the natural way of things, it makes it a little easier. And for our son, as he goes through different phases, tries various sports, or gets interested in new hobbies, it’s ok that he pursues a new interest all on his own for a little while. New friends will come. I think the point is to stay on your own path, whatever it is. Maybe your course is to take the elevator straight to the top floor, or perhaps the floor you are on is just right. Either way, you are where you are supposed to be, with the people you are supposed to be with. 

What do you think? Is it hard to move up when you are the only one? Does it feel less scary when you have people moving with you? Have you ever felt like you were the only one on the elevator and questioned your path? We’d love to hear! 

Thanks for reading,

Kelly (+ Graham) Levine