Life is filled with so many things you could be doing. Whether it’s wishing you had a certain job or wanting to go on a vacation to Hawaii (who wouldn’t want that?). There are so many choices out there, it can be hard to decide where to start.
Taking the Journey:
So what if instead of following the safe path, the one that says if I do X + Y then I’m guaranteed a safe and secure life, you listened to those dreams stirring inside you? Maybe it’s those thoughts that tell you to be a writer, a musician or that you have a great idea others need to know about. Everyone may tell you you’re crazy. You won’t make any money (which is probably true). You’ll just fail, they say.
But what if you tried? And what if you found out you were good at it?
I think those people who dare to create something often end up having the most to say. Who would have thought iPads would exist? Or that Starbuck’s would have coffee houses on nearly every street in America? And that an idea like Facebook would become part of our daily lives? The ideas the keep you up at night may just be the thing that bring you your greatest joy and make you who you are. Sure you’ll probably need a job to support yourself, but you can find ways to pursue your dream as you work.
Finding the Right Balance
Don’t neglect the three “F’s” in pursuit of your work or creativity – Faith, Family and Friends. Let them be the support and anchor for your art.
- On Faith: My brother told me year ago, “God made you the way you are because of why you are.” The words stuck with me and helped me to lean on my spiritual faith through out my journey of writing. There are too many ups and downs to think I could ever do it alone.
- On Family: Surround yourself with family who will support you and help you grow. My husband encouraged me though writing a novel seemed so far away, so impossible. I myself was thinking this was too crazy to try. But he believed in me. And as I shared my heart for writing with my family, they did, too.
- On Friends: I joined a writing group and took classes. I even braved the dreaded critique group and found it wasn’t so scary. The other writers there were so amazing and helpful, and they became my friends. We support each other now. I even met my mentor through this group. He’s been a great friend and teacher I’m so grateful for.
I knew I wanted to be a writer when I couldn’t put the down pen. The ideas were percolating in my head – I just had to get them out. I worked as I studied writing and grew in my craft. I made sacrifices in my time to sketch out the early drafts of my first attempted novels. But as I became better, my ideas and abilities grew. I’m still on that path, but know I can’t ever put that pen down now.
It won’t be easy. Your ideas may fail. There are bills to pay. There are family, friends and faith to balance. You may feel stretched in your time. But in the end, you may find what you’re most passionate about. And that is truly living the dream.
What challenges have you faced as you try to pursue your dreams?
Thanks for this post, Racehlle. Making the decision to pursue our dreams, the dreams God put in our hearts, will be followed by challenges. Why? Because the adversary will do everything he can to get us off God’s plan for our lives. My biggest challenge was self-doubt, until, like you, I put the fingers to the keyboard and wrote. And then risked by showing it someone else. We need the courage to step out in faith. When we do, God will bring the right people across our path to encourage and train.
That’s so great. It takes a lot of courage to step out, and it’s amazing what can happen. I know it was a big challenge for me, too, to go to a writers group and read something I wrote. I think that was one of the scariest things I’d ever done (that and ride the Titan at Six Flags!). And you’re right about the people God brings across our path. I’ve been so blessed to meet so many great writers who have helped me (You of course being one of them!). Thanks for sharing, Henry!
This is so very true! Dream big…you will never know what you could have accomplished unless you try. Very well said, Rachelle!