Is Your Childhood Dream Still Calling You? What are You Doing About it … Today?
Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be a singer. Inspired by my mom, who sang professionally with her sisters, music was pretty much in my blood. I fondly recall dressing up in some fancy frolic I’d found in Mom’s closet and wobbling toward the living room in her super shiny silver heels. That’s where the cheesy stereo-system microphone called to me. Setting the needle down on the spinny vinyl, I took that microphone in hand and belted out “You Light Up My Life”. Me and Debbie Boone, that is.
At the age of 7, the passion for singing was … well, it was just THERE.
And it still is.
My sister had a Nancy Nurse doll she loved to play with. Guess what? She became a nurse.
So what was it for you?
Is it still calling you?
I mean, if you grew up wanting to be Batgirl, you might just want to keep your cape in your Bat Box. But if taking down criminals is truly a passion that lurks within you, then perhaps you’re meant for police work, the military or … ooo! … the CIA!
Can Fantasy Really Become Reality?
Sometimes we think our childhood fantasies are just that … fantasies. As an adult we reason that there’s no place for those dreams in our real life.
But is that reasoning based on reality or fear?
More on that in a minute. First let’s consider where those fantasies are born before we close the Bat Box on what could potentially bring the greatest fulfillment of your life.
1 - Did God Plant the Seed of Your Childhood Dream?
God created you with a plan and a purpose for your life. And he injected in you an innate desire to do and be something. So just because a childhood dream might seem silly or unrealistic as an adult … well, you better take that up with God before you toss it aside, girl!
“Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it! ”
2 - Did Your Natural Ability Spark That Dream?
Back to God creating you again …
The architect and builder of the universe dreamed you up. Grinning with great delight, he embedded teensy little you into your mother’s womb and proudly fashioned every fiber of your being with thoughtful intention. But he didn’t just put the beautiful color in your eye. He put unique abilities and talents inside you as well, and the drive to use them.
And just because other people have a talent like yours, no one can use that talent the way you can. You are unique. You have a specific temperament, personality, and individual thoughts and ideas that will make your talent shine like no other.
In a nutshell, you may feel inclined toward something because … it’s just who you are. It’s who you were designed to be.
“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart ... ”
Is Fear Keeping You in Safeville?
You’re standing at a fork in the road. The path on the left appears smooth and pleasant. It even has one of those flat conveyer belts you can just step on and be transported with minimal effort. It super easy-peasy and you can generally see that it leads somewhere safe. Not entirely fulfilling, mind you, but safe. In fact, it says “Safeville” right on the sign pointing left.
The path to the right, however, looks a little iffy. It’s got rocks. It’s wet and slippery. And it climbs upward with twists and turns that disappear into large trees, making it hard to see where this path ends up and how long it might take to get there.
The sign pointing right reads “Destiny”.
It’s risky to take this path. It’s intimidating. Scary. It might even seem impossible and ridiculous to even try.
But you know if you put on your brave … take the first step … and do the work it takes to climb that scary-scary path, you’ll eventually arrive at your Destiny.
Are you on the “safe” path?
Perhaps this path was chosen by someone else, like a parent with good intentions, and you just went along with it. Maybe the random circumstances of life took you down the path toward Safeville.
Either way, it’s your choice to stay there. It’s never too late to get off the conveyer belt, put on your hiking boots, hoist up that heavy back pack and start the climb toward your Destiny.
One
step
at a time.
Does Your Dream Look Different Than You Think?
Like the example of Batgirl, in its most ultimate form a childhood dream may be truly unrealistic, while indicating an element of what you might be destined for in “real life”.
If you’re a woman who grew up with a wicked throwing arm and fantasies of quarterbacking the Pittsburgh Steelers to Super Bowl fame … well, let’s just take a step back and think on this, shall we?
I hate to break it to you, but until the NFL enlists female players, you can still play football (don’t miss that part – you can still play football) … but it won’t be for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
However, if you have a fascination with the Steelers, there are a myriad of ways to be involved in the franchise. Do you have photography skills? Be the team photographer. Do you have a marketing degree? Be a Steelers Product Marketing Manager. The list goes on and on.
In this way you get your fill of all things Steelers, while using that wicked throwing arm to lead your women’s football team to greatness.
Take Action … TODAY
I challenge you to take an action step toward making your childhood dreams come true. Do it TODAY … or you might not do it at all.
JOURNAL
Write down your thoughts on your childhood dreams and brainstorm what those dreams could look like in real life (there could be more than one, by the way, like the football playing photographer.)
PRAY
“God, did YOU put that dream in me? If so, make me brave enough to choose the risky path. And guide me as I take time to listen well and faithfully follow your leading.
RESEARCH
Google is an amazing thing. Right? With God and Google you can do anything, girl!
What resources are there that can help you take a step closer?
Get one TODAYIs there a book you can buy on Amazon?
Buy it TODAYIs there a training course you can take?
Sign up for it TODAYDo you need a college degree?
Research colleges TODAYCan you start with Community College or online courses?
Sign up for a class TODAYDo you need to apply for scholarships or figure out some kind of financial strategy?
Find a scholarship TODAYWhere’s the closest women’s football league?
Google it TODAYWho can you contact at your church to volunteer for that ministry?
Email or call them TODAY
Believe, Work & Wait
I leave you with 3 final thoughts.
BELIEVE
Believe in what may seem impossible. Trust that if God is leading you to do this thing, that he will provide a way and give you everything you need to achieve it.
WORK
No one said it would be easy. Learn everything you can about how to be successful in whatever it is you are putting your hand to. Even if your ability is naturally awesome … oh, I know you’ve got skills, girl … do what it takes to grow in excellence. The more excellent you are, the more chance for success.
WAIT
Rome wasn’t built in a day, woman. So be patient and don’t give up if it takes a while for your little seedling to blossom. If you plant it, feed it, and wait … you can trust that it WILL grow. It’s a Biblical principal.
Tell Me About It!
Leave a comment below, or send me a message. Tell me what your dream is and what action step you’re going to take TODAY that will move you closer to achieving it.
