When dreams die

“A vision without action is just a dream; an action without vision just passes time; a vision with an action changes the world.” - Nelson Mandela

I recently connected with 23 people. We are different ages and different walks of life, all united because we are dreamers. Some of us may even be visionaries. We were brought together and challenged to take our vision and put some action behind it. Change the world.

The visions vary in size. Some are personal, like loosing weight or getting in shape. Some are job focused, like being a better manager or finding that elusive job that will blossom into a career. Some sound crazy, like playing catch with the president or spending 24 hours in prayer.

Each dream is important, though. Each one is a living, breathing thing. They need to be nurtured and fed, especially when they are just learning to walk. As they get stronger, they gain momentum. The dreamer suddenly isn't stuck anymore. Instead of coaxing their dream along, they find themselves running to keep up. It's a beautiful thing.

Each of us have limited time that we can put into these efforts. It isn't like someone is paying us to do all the hustling that is required to turn vision into reality. For each of us, some level of sacrifice is required. For me, I've been getting up a couple of hours early every morning so I can write. I can't say it's been easy. The mornings aren't bad, but the nights are kind of tough. But it's been worth it. Feeding your dreams are always worth it.

I just sent in a two-week status update of our challenge. There were only nine project updates. Each of those nine had incredible updates, even the ones that said "not a lot of progress this week, but I'm hanging in there." Forward progress, no matter how small, is always beautiful. It's motivating and inspiring to watch. But I can't help but wonder about the other 14. What happened to their dreams this week?

See, I know that if you fail to feed your dreams, they tend to atrophy and die. God made each of us unique, and not everyone is a dreamer. Having witnessed the birth of such beautiful dreams, it is sad to think that so many died so young.

Did those dreams die?

Speak Less

Trust 30 : Day 20 (prompt by Laura Kimball)

What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think. This rule, equally arduous in actual and in intellectual life, may serve for the whole distinction between greatness and meanness. It is the harder, because you will always find those who think they know what is your duty better than you know I. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I once received a fortune cookie that read: “Speak less of your plans, you’ll get more done.” What’s one project that you’ve been sitting on and thinking about but haven’t made progress on? What’s stopping you? What would happen if you actually went for it and did it?

From an early age I have wanted to be a college professor. It was always something I wanted to do "once I got old." I had this mental image of a tweed sports jacket with elbow patches, maybe a pipe too. And a globe, definitely a globe. In my mind I'd be a professor of philosophy. 

In reality, I went a more technical route. It's not that I gave up on that idea, but I had other plans for the time until I got old. I knew at some point I could take a few more classes, start working toward an advance degree. Then, when the hustle and bustle got old, I'd start teaching a class here and there. 

So, based on that dream, my "one project I've been sitting on" would be working toward the elbow patches. To be that kind of instructor "then" I need to start working on that degree "now." Things have changed, though. Now I've got this obsession with God that's shaping my life. What I find fascinating is that this new relationship hasn't really changed that mental image, I just see me teaching religious studies or a similar topic. 

My biggest obstacle is my previous experiences with formal education. I've spent enough time in school that I have a mental image of what it will be like to go back. I believe I have an understanding of what kinds of things I can expect to learn (and not learn) there. I have an idea of what kind of people I will (and won't) meet there. I desire knowledge, wisdom, and depth of understanding. I'm not confident I can get it there.

So...I have made a deliberate choice to increase the scope of my personal studies. I guess I'm going to self-educate. Someday I may take classes. But I don't think I need to go back to school to get an education. And I don't think I need an advanced degree (or tweed jacket) to be a teacher.

Dreams

Trust 30 : Day 18 (prompt by Michael Rad)

Abide in the simple and noble regions of thy life, obey thy heart. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Write down your top three dreams. Now write down what’s holding you back from them.

Dreams:

1. Impact the world in Christ's name
2. Raise my kids well...to be men with strong character and strong minds.
3. Love my wife continually and deeply 

Holding me back: there is truly less holding me back today then ever before.

Invent the Future

Trust 30 : Day 17 (prompt by Cindy Gallop)

A man should learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within, more than the lustre of the firmament of bards and sages. Yet he dismisses without notice his thought, because it is his. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

My favorite quote of all time is Alan Kay: ‘In order to predict the future, you have to invent it.’ I am all about inventing the future. Decide what you want the future to be and make it happen. Because you can. Write about your future now.

My future is peaceful. I envision having a family run business that allows each of us to work together for something bigger than what we could accomplish on our own. But the business doesn't run our lives, we don't live for it. It's still just a means. It brings us together and allows us to each bring our own unique talents to the table. It allows everyone to contribute and flourish.

Without going into too many specifics about type of business, I'll have some time to read a little, write a little, strum a little, teach a little, and talk to strangers. It will be a safe harbor for those seeking sanity. It will be a place people can come to when they're searching for help. Whether someone needs a full belly or full mind, this will be a place to be filled. Yes, this place will be founded on Christ and centered on Christ, but in a way that is welcoming to everyone, regardless of their religious beliefs or the state of their lives. It will be a reflection of His love, where everyone is wanted and welcome.