Dreams With Wings

I cannot begin to count the number of times that a dream slipped through my hands because I didn’t act upon it. It lingered in my mind, danced in my head, waiting to be birthed. I’d chew on the idea, noodle on it and chew on it some more – all in my mind, of course. Finally, the dream slipped away – avoiding recapture. Over the years, I would repeat this routine and another dream would get away – all because I was afraid to move it from conception to something concrete. 

Fear – that dreaded word paralyzed me. Whether it was the fear of failure or the fear of success, I had a tendency to sabotage my own work to avoid putting myself out there. I did not realize that the gifts that God placed in me were necessary and sufficient for the work He had for me. Instead of being focused on the outcome, I placed more emphasis on my fear, which resulted in so much wasted time and unproductive years.

The turning point in my life came with the realization that fear could not co-exist with purpose.  If I wanted to be used of God for His purpose, I could not allow fear to be my banner. By empowering fear, I was defeated even before I began to walk in purpose. 

Then, I had to replace my fears with the truth of God’s Word. What did God’s Word say about me? As I began meditating on, thinking about and pondering who God made me to be, over time, fear slowly released its grip. After all, who was I to question how God would use me for His glory?

How many times have you awaited the manifestation of a dream only to have someone else successfully implement the very idea that you had? How many times have you chased a dream and the closer you got, the farther it slipped away? Just as you’d given up on your dream it became someone else’s reality.

But today, you can move toward your dream life by acknowledging, taking responsibility for and then putting aside all the hidden factors affecting your ability to be successful. You know the ones — those that rise to the top for no apparent reason, sit on your shoulder speaking critically of your every move and prevent you from seriously gaining a foothold on your dreams.

By opening your mind and heart to the person whose real thoughts and emotions are not open for public viewing, acknowledge the fact that it’s the real you who has to be reckoned with, dealt with, and confronted. Once you acknowledge what’s on the inside, you can begin to strategically and honestly deal with the hindrances lingering within. After all, you cannot successfully address what you don’t know.

Nor do you have a right to hold the real you hostage.

When One Door Closes, Another One Opens

Facing elusive employment opportunities even on the best days has a way of forcing us to reach within our creative minds for ways to reinvent or innovate ourselves. Sometimes, it’s a long-forgotten talent that comes to the forefront. Other times, it’s a new talent that springs forth. Sometimes, it’s a talent that we’ve slowly nurtured over the years that’s suddenly relevant, timely and necessary.

Not only are we prepared for releasing our craft on the world, lo and behold, the world is ready for what we have to offer.

So it begins. We maximize our talent’s potential by leveraging skills, abilities, and knowledge to build a comfortable niche business that we absolutely love.  And what we realize during this process is that we were born to do exactly what we are doing. What an aha moment!

A recent conversation with a business owner reaffirmed the necessity of being open to opportunities that steer us in the direction of our God-given creative aptitude. By crafting an alternate space for ourselves as other opportunities become inaccessible, we sometimes discover our true purpose.

What began as a provider/creator of bridal bouquets and flower arrangements has broadened to include full-scale unique, unparalleled, and exquisite products and accessories for special occasions. She had no idea where the journey would take her after that first wedding 30 years ago.

Did she focus her efforts full-time on building her business? No. But did she keep her finger on the pulse of the industry as she pursued other interests? Unequivocally yes! Even as she worked in various positions over the years, she continued to hone her skills as a creative and visionary organizer to become a wedding consultant, invitation/program/accessory designer and coordinator. 

When full-time employment opportunities were no longer available, she relied on her creative aptitude to begin a more fulfilling career that she has embraced with abandon.

Sometimes, it’s just that simple… when one door closes, another door opens. But we have to be willing to walk through the open door.

 

Reset Your Thought Life

When facing disappointments and personal setbacks, the spirit to continue on oftentimes gets consumed. Overpowered by the enormity of a situation. Eaten up by discouragement. Overtaken by embarrassment. Instead of pressing on toward the end-goal, we get stuck in the moment, unable to gain traction. Then, it takes another moment or two —or even a jolt—before we take the next step.

I remember some advice that one of my bosses gave me as he transitioned out of the company. He said, “Give it (the challenge) its due and move on.” In other words, grieve at its loss but let go. He had invested much time and effort in the growth of his managers. So he knew what an emotional toll his departure was taking on the them. I can’t say that I agreed with this nugget at the time, but it has proven to be much more valuable in helping me get through subsequent challenges.  And some are easier than others.

With the more difficult challenges, I find myself going through “grieving and leaving” process more than once. I give it its due, acknowledge where I am and move one. A few days later, I give the challenge another due and move on. When I find this process repetitive, I try to reroute my thoughts in another direction. This may involve getting input from someone else to shut down my need to over-process.

What I eventually discover is that as long as I allow my mind to go there, it will.  As long as I continue to think on an issue, dwell on it, ponder it, figure it out, and think on it again, the issue remains my central focus. But when I think about the challenge in terms of letting go my focus centers around resolution, which reshapes my thoughts and sets my mind free to achieve an eventual end. With my mind liberated from boxed-in thinking, I have the capacity to move (attitude and actions) in that direction as well. The result of moving in the direction of my new thinking is that possibilities I never knew existed abound! When I was stuck in position, I didn’t dare think of what could be.

After months of unemployment, I can now imagine employment possibilities outside of the usual realm for my field of expertise, primarily because I’ve let go of what was in search of what is to come. With a new thought life and focus, I know that what’s hidden is awaiting discovery.

You, too can reset your thought life. No matter what challenge you are facing, give it its due attention but reroute your thinking. Practice looking for the good in every situation in an intentional way. Believe me, there is a silver lining waiting for you.

Living and Leaving

Sometimes, the spark ignites from a conversation during the week, a situation that a friend is facing or a snippet of a conversation. Other times, inspiration strikes from an ongoing internal battle over an issue that’s begging for attention and/or resolution. I push it down; it rises to the surface. Ignore it for a little while, and it rises again.  This week, “living and leaving” have risen to the top of my list; living in terms of being present in the moment daily with maximum effort and receiving premium benefit. Leaving in terms of what I present to those stepping behind me.

When I’m living, I’m focusing on what each day will bring, what I choose to bring into the day, and carry out my responsibilities and priorities as if tomorrow is not promised. I choose each day to do the things that are needful and to live some portion of my day outside of my own interests. I also choose to be present in every situation that I am confronted with, no matter the outcome.  These are affirmations that I consciously assent to each day.  AM I THERE YET?  Not totally, but I’m working on it.

You see, each day I am learning to peel back the layers of intent (what I intend to do) and begin the performance of  what it is I am meant to do. Each day, I am learning to choose a productive mindset, a better attitude and take the opportunity to live as if tomorrow is not promised. And each day, I am learning to let go of past hurts and disappointments. But it’s a daily effort  and, quite honestly, some days are easier than others.

Conversely, I’m also beginning to think more and more about the baton that I’m  passing on to others.  As a young person, the cares of the world had me focused on acquiring as much as I could. But as maturity caught up with me, I began to care less about amassing things and more about leaving things of value behind. For me, it’s the things that are unseen and untouchable that hold the greatest value.  Today, my emphasis is on leaving a good name behind – a reputation that denotes character and integrity. As Proverbs 22:1 states, “A good name is rather to be chosen than riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.”

More than silver and gold, my desire is to pass on a foundation of righteousness upon which my children and family would build upon and continue a life of faith. I want them to know from my lifestyle that being a Christian brings honor and glory from an Almighty God, which surpasses anything that the world could ever bestow upon them. I want them to know that being regarded as someone who prefers righteousness over sin is the best legacy that I could ever leave them because living a God-led lifestyle brings peace, precious promises, and an abundance of blessings. My desire is for them to know who they are from God’s perspective, to choose righteousness over sin in every situation and to live outside of themselves to the glory of God and to benefit the lives of others. My earnest desire is that I am now living what I want them to become.

What are you passing on?