Do you have a place where you store your Someday Dreams? At some point in your life story they were real enough to tuck away for that perfect future time. Are they still real today? How often do you visit them? Perhaps you’ve got them up on your Vision Board.
Fan the Flame
Coach Maggie Visual Joy
My office is full of visual reminders of what matters most to me. Behind my desk you’ll find the reminder to spend time with the Lord, to be still before Him and listen for His leading. I purchased the hand-made rice paper minstrel while on assignment in Malaysia years ago. He speaks to me about joy in the journey – music in my heart – international adventures yet to be experienced. The motor home reminds me of cross-country adventures past and future. Quality time is my love language. The RV lifestyle affords me the opportunity to not only enjoy travel but also to spend time with family and friends across the U.S. The books I keep encourage and challenge me to grow personally and professionally. The titles speak volumes about what matters most to me. Visual reminders help keep my dreams alive – fan the flame of my someday dreams. How do you keep your dreams alive?
What’s in Your Future?
What constitutes a dream for you? Some include lifestyle changes on their dream board. I’m in the business of helping others create the life they envisioned – lifestyle changes require adopting the daily habits to support their goals. I’m brought in when the client is ready to embark on their journey. I wonder – what’s the start date for your dreams?
When asked about her dreams, one of my past clients told me she had a dream, but she knew it would never come true. Seriously? Why have a dream you don’t believe in? It turns out that her dream was to get down to her high school weight. When asked why – her response was that it would be nice to get there. No wonder that dream wasn’t going to come true. There was no vibrant reason to achieve it. A month later she returned to me and said, “I’m pre-diabetic. Can you help me lose my weight?” She now had the beginnings of a great why-it-matters to compel her to do what it takes to achieve her dream – her goals.
While I agree that hiking the Appalachian Trail would be a someday dream for me, if I’m ever to accomplish that, it requires a today plan of action. Just because I clear time on my calendar to go doesn’t mean I’m physically fit and have all the equipment I need to succeed. Dreams require a plan of action that starts well before the dream can come true.
Check for Expiration Date
Without a compelling why-it-matters, a start date or a plan of action, I wonder if your dreams are realistic. The older I get, the tighter my timelines. This is my season to declutter and that includes dreams that no longer fit into my life story. Perhaps they were simply an idea that time forgot. Today I invite you to consider, is it time to let go of lifeless dreams? Perhaps God is saying “It is Finished” or perhaps He never had anything to do with them in the first place.
God is speaking to me today and has asked me to share. He is over His children (me) wasting time on things that don’t matter or are finished. Guilt, shame, disappointments, mourning, whatever you are holding on to – it’s time to Let it Go. Don’t let the past, or false future dreams rob you of the gift of today. In Psalm 119:105 (TPT) we read “Truth’s shining light guides me in my choices and decisions; the revelation of your word makes my pathway clear.” We are given just enough light and guidance for the step we are on today as we trust Him for our future.
Am I done?
It’s not over until God says it’s over. “For I know the plans I have for you…” Jeremiah 29:11
I once ended a presentation by asking the audience “Am I done?” They cheered & clapped – not because they didn’t like what I said and were ready to be rid of me, but because they received what they were there to receive. Mission accomplished. They were celebrating!
Do you have some things in your life that have been finished for some time? You keep trying to give them life, but nothing seems to help. Are you willing to let them go if God says so? Is it possible that those lifeless dreams/projects are keeping you from the life-giving goals God has for you today?
People + Places + Things … what do you need to celebrate as FINISHED today? Ask the question, “Am I done?”
The Time is Now
Your dreams matter. Someone is waiting for you to create a vivid why-it-matters statement – one that will compel you to create a plan and begin to take action. What’s keeping you?
Not sure where to begin? Schedule a coaching session to explore your options and put a plan in place.
Join the Conversation
What was your takeaway from reading this post? Do you use a vision board? How do you keep your dreams visible? Share your lessons learned and help others further their own dreams. Scroll down and share your thoughts in the Join the Conversation section. Include any questions you may have or suggestions for future articles.
Featured blog image by Jake Melara
Maggie Sabatier-Smith
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