As my eyes embrace God’s majestic painted skies, I remember a dream once stolen, now joyously returned!
THE CORRIDOR: Take a step, open a NEW door – TRY IT! When you open one door you will be amazed at the infinite number of new doors (opportunities) that come into view. EXAMPLE: Open the “Finance” door and you will learn about budgeting, credit management, debt management, saving strategies, the importance of credit score/rating; this corridor may lead you to investment management, multiple income streams, compound interest, return on investments (ROI); then, your business venture; and on and on and on!
FUNDAMENTAL: Take a step of faith, believe that you can do IT (whatever “IT” is for you)! You don’t even need to know the fundamentals of “IT” before you start. Apply OJT (On the Job Training), learn as you go, as feasible (e.g., the internet is your wealthy friend; the library is as rich as it’s ever been and is still your humble servant, rich or poor; you can get a Life Coach/teacher/mentor for your journey). Thought: Faith moves mountains, but you may have to thump molehills yourself!
MAKE YOUR REASON “TO” GREATER THAN YOUR EXCUSES “NOT TO:” In the second grade I won my first and only art contest. With great pride, I can still remember that piece of art being put on public display in the school. Then, someone stole my passion for art by telling me I could not do it, I had to read, write and regurgitate (i.e., rote education), like everyone else. At the same time, unbeknownst to family or friends, I was dealing with a fresh wound – childhood molestation. It was almost 12 yrs before someone even started to undo the damage of these years!
For years, I would draw and write and throw the work away. Enter Dr. James E. Mumford, Indiana University Professor, who took away my excuses and encouraged me to dream artistically again! He advised my to share my work and bless others. A few years after meeting Dr. Mumford I sold my first greeting card idea. With greater pride, I have a copy of that check to this day. It reminds me that I CAN!
First, if it’s all about you, you may never move beyond dreaming! Second, when you live for a cause greater than you, you have a purpose that is bigger than you!
Some people never get started, for one reason (or excuse) or another (e.g., they “got hurt” by life, like me; they do not know where to start; they are not “an expert;” not smart enough or talented enough; FEAR – False Evidence Appearing Real)! The graveyard is filled with “might have been” greats, people who died with their dreamers still in them. Just think, if Noah took the approach of waiting until he had experience. Where would we be today? If you are not a “believer,” think where you would be if you did not take action, as simple as getting out of bed. You can’t achieve much without making a move, even a thought takes action (thinking is a verb). Likewise, how much more can you (we) accomplish ON PURPOSE/WITH A PURPOSE?
Most important, don’t let fear stop you from daring to be great. I know “Handi-capable” people, in wheelchairs, who know no limitations/no excuses! Faith pointed in the right direction does move mountains. Just as “wrong faith” makes mountains out of molehills (e.g., I can’t – mountain or molehill), “Where you focus goes, your energy flows!” We need to be humble in our faith, not arrogant (it was once said about the Titanic, “God himself could not sink this ship!” – arrogant faith; even experts can be wrong/fail/make mistakes).
My greatest success was not selling my first greeting card, restoring my first antique, creating my “Chocolate People” or even in earning my first six figure income. My greatest success was in realizing that it’s not all about me; it’s about pursuing goals and dreams that are bigger than you; about praying and taking the steps to be selflessly on purpose. Ask me, a first generation college student (graduate), once accused of burglary (thieves captured); a poor boy, making six figures! Yes, faith moves mountains!
Finally, you do not need to have “knowledge” to start, but faith to take the first step. And, yes, you will need to have drive and tenacious determination to gather knowledge for your journey. Yes, you will need to call on a more experienced resource to assist you (e.g., teach, coach, mentor you), if in a high risk area or one you are not ready to tackle. I once heard that a “Big Shot is a little shot who kept shooting.” Take your shot and keeping shooting until you here stop!
QUESTION: Why does anyone need to give you your dream back (i.e., it’s your dream; it’s in your heart)?
ANSWER: They don’t, but sometimes a coach/teach/mentor can clear the fog, so that you can see your dream in a new light (and you can do the same for others, by passing it on)! Dr. Mumford did not take away my excuses. He help me to see beyond myself. WHO CAN YOUR GIFT(S) BLESS (i.e., Can you help someone or is it all about you)? Dr. Mumford taught me a valuable less: We can think selfishly or selflessly! We can gift our dream to the world or we can take them to the graveyard with us! What’s your choice? REMEMBER, NO ONE CAN TAKE WHAT IS IN YOUR HEART TO DO, WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT!
OPEN YOUR DREAM DOOR TODAY…
… and take notes on your journey and leave a path for others to follow. After all, someone opened a door for you – PASS IT ON!