The past few weeks in our Why Not YOU?! Series, we’ve been talking about overcoming obstacles to reach your dreams and learning from others that have stepped out past those fears.
Fast forward one year. What is that dream that you’d be ecstatic if you achieved it!? What is it!?
I bet you came up with something as soon as you read that sentence. So why not go for it? Why not YOU?! Why watch other people pursue their dreams and achieve what you wish you could have, when you know in your heart God has planted that passion within you?
My challenge to you this week is to question your beliefs. First, though, you might need to stop and think about what your beliefs are.
When I was raising my children I had a belief that it was important to model selflessness. Don’t get me wrong – I still believe that, but I was completely out of balance.
Oh, it was commendable that I made a vow to complain as little as possible, and that I homeschooled them with complete fervor and dedication, and so on and so forth…. BUT, I neglected to show them how important it is to invest in themselves – by investing in myself.
This sad fact became very obvious when my son went to the local supermarket to order a corsage for his prom date. WHAT?! You see, what he didn’t know was that floral arranging was a deep love in my life. And the day that he went to the grocery store, I tried to convince him that I could certainly handle making a corsage! After all, I had managed a florist for several years before he was born and even done a couple weddings on the side as he was growing up. But apparently, he wasn’t really involved. Apparently, he didn’t see passion in me.
The point is, I had a belief that sacrificing myself for my children was healthy. Instead, I missed an opportunity to model the pursuit of a passion AND feed my soul.
So, what are some beliefs that you have that you might want to question? Beliefs that stop you from being all the God planted in your heart. Here are common beliefs that many of us have that stop us dead in our tracks from pursuing our dreams–
See if you can relate to any:
I don’t have the time for self-care.
Today doesn’t really matter – I can do “it” tomorrow. No you won’t.
Someone else is doing it so much better than I ever could
I’m not enough of an expert to even give it a try
It isn’t the right time
I’m too young, I’m too old
Oh! Our excuses can go on and on! Because it’s simply easier and more comfortable to stay as we are.
I urge you to take some time. Quiet time. To see if there is an area, like my floral arranging, that you wish you were pursuing, but for whatever reason are putting on “hold.” That “one day” won’t come unless you make it. After my son went to prom with his supermarket corsage, I realized how I had buried my passion. I pursued a job at a local florist and ended up at a swanky florist (which I thought was beyond my talent) and loved every minute of it! Don’t you know I sent my son picture after picture of amazing floral arrangements I made just to show him…. Ha! A bit slow on the trigger, but I learned the cost of putting my dream on hold.
And that’s why I write. Oh sure…..
There are a zillion writers that are far “better” than me, and
I really do have other things I could be doing when it takes much too long to write a post, and
I am a bit old to be pursuing a dream of being a writer,
but…
Writing is a dream in my heart, and
I write in my own voice (which no one else can do), and
The time I spend writing is an investment in feeding my soul (and hopefully a few others) and
I’m not dead yet, so why would I be too old?!
Let me close with a story from the Bible:
In the book of Numbers, chapter 13, there were twelve spies that were sent to check out the land that God had promised the Israelites. Ten of the spies came back and reported giants were in the land and there was no way that the Israelites could defeat them. However, there were two spies that believed what God had promised and insisted they could accomplish the task. Nonetheless, the other ten spies reported, “We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” Those ten men who didn’t believe the dream that God had planted in their hearts (and had promised to grant), overruled the two brave soldiers had the courage to look past the obstacles.
Did you catch that?!
FEAR captured the soldiers and made them believe that they were GRASSHOPPERS when God had promised the land to them.
AND the enemy saw them exactly as they saw themselves.
As my friend Annette teaches, “the grasshoppers were a delusion.” There were no grasshoppers. They were something they had created in their own minds. God had given them the land, they just needed to go and get it. They “just” couldn’t get past all the reasons they didn’t think it could work…
What are your grasshoppers?
What do you believe about your possibility of pursuing your dream? Are your beliefs a delusion? Or have you trusted God and are pressing on? I hope so!!!!
If not, take some time for you. How about dedicating an hour a day for 60 days towards your dream – and see in 60 days if you want to continue. I’m pretty sure you’ll be amazed!
Be blessed my friends!! And keep TrekkingThru! Never give up!
Laurie says
What a wonderful post! I feel as though you wrote it especially for me. Thank you! Just what I needed to read this week.
Char says
Oh! That makes my day Laurie! Keep Trekking!!!
Jamie@TheMomGene says
A belief I had to give up to really pursue writing was thing: I don’t need anyone else’s input. This is just so untrue! We can never see all the angles of each piece. We need other writers in community with us.
Char says
And you have become an amazing writer!
Joanne Viola says
This was such an encouraging post, Char. Thank you for encouraging us all to see ourselves as we are in God’s limitless mind rather than in our own limiting minds. Blessings to you today!
Char says
Thanks Joanne, Have a great week!
Laura at Fantastically Four says
I’m so thankful you’re pursuing your passion to write! Thank you SO MUCH for the encouragement for all of us to do the same and take time to invest a bit in ourselves. Love this post!
Char says
Hi Laura, investing in myself is a late in life lesson for me. Enjoy it while you’re young!!
Monica says
This is a great post. I related to and expedited every word that you spoke about. Thanks for having this blog. It’s incredible and fantastic. It is so inspiring.
Char says
Thanks for your encouragement Monica!
Michele Morin says
What a great “stop and think” moment you’ve curated for us here! We need to pause and ask those imporatant questions about calling and the way we invest in our wellness!
Char says
Yeah, the supermarket corsage was an eye-opener for me!
Amy Hagerup says
I absolutely love this, Char. Definitely spurs me to action.
Char says
Go Amy go! I’m rooting for you!
Lauren Sparks says
God is once a again confirming in me (this time through your post) that it’s time to put my insecurities aside and step out into his calling one me. Thank you for being Jesus to me today. laurensparks.net
CRYSTAL TWADDELL says
I have read this twice so far, and your words are so inspiring my friend! Although I’ve known this story for years, grasshoppers have never resonated with me until now. And, self-care…I think I’m learning so much more about the value of this now. Loved learning you were a florist!
Char says
Floral designing is a wonderful gift God gave me – but I can’t pick out a paint color for my bedroom!!! Ha!
nylse says
In that story I like that Caleb was 85 when he finally received the promise. He never thought that he was too old!
Thanks for this thoughtful post.
Char says
That’s amazing! There’s still time for me!
Patrick Weseman says
It is interesting with me. The reason I say that is because I have achieved a bunch in my life but no one close to me has really celebrated or cared what I did. My parental unit was always negative about anything good I did. When I got out of the Navy after four years, all the people that I knew before I went in had turned negative towards me. When I was finishing up college my at-that-time wife’s family was negative about me doing so that it led to a major riff and planted the seeds for a divorce. And my brother was so negative in any achievements I did in my life that I pretty much stopped talking to him. And my workplace is very negative about anything positive I do. So, I have always doubted in believing in myself.
It has taken me a while to gain perspective on why and it finally hit me. The reason is because I don’t really talk about beforehand about what I do. I do it without fanfare and move on to the next thing that interests me. Almost like I tuck away anything I do in a file cabinet because I know people are going to shoot me down. People like talkers and another thing I come to realize is that I scare the living you-what out people because they are not what doing anything with their lives and I try to affirm mine. So, with that combo I am pretty much a target to shoot at. Anyway, I have drone on to much.
Thanks for the amazing words. Also, thanks for hosting and I hope that you have an amazing and blessed week.
Char says
The greatest satisfaction for any accomplishment is how I feel when I put my head on my pillow at the end of each day. I’ve noticed when I rely on others to build me up, I don’t feel authentic. It sounds like you have become stronger and have a strong resolve as you seek the best for your life! Good for you!
Sue Donaldson says
sixty days is a long time.
Noah was very old when God (finally) called him. He said, “yes” and many lives were saved. thanks, char.
Char says
Too long? How about 10?!
Marva | SunSparkleShine says
I like the 60 days idea, Char. I think it’s a good amount of time to commit and test out this ‘new’ thing. If it turns out it wasn’t what you expected you could safely say you gave it a try.
By the way, I only recently found your blog, but I’m so glad you chose to write and share your words here. Please keep them coming. Blessings to you!
Char says
Thanks Marva! I appreciate your encouragement!
Marilyn Lesniak says
Thank you for hosting. I love sharing with your readers and always find inspiration here. Today I am leaving a Salmon Salad, Fresh Melon Fruit Salad, and Raspberry Cheesecake with Mini Cadbury Eggs. Have a blessed week! #OverTheMoon #WWBlogHop #ThursdayFavoriteThings
Char says
You too Marilyn!
Rachel Lee says
Such an inspiring message Char!! I especially love the “buts”!!
Carri says
I needed this encouragement today. Thank you!
Char says
I’m so glad Carri! Thanks for letting me know and have a blessed week!
Anita Ojeda says
This is so good, Char! I’d love to learn how to watercolor paint :).
Char says
Oh me too! Go for it Anita!!!
Donna Reidland says
Even though I have pursued a number of passions, this made me think about some I just haven’t. Thanks for sharing and hosting each week!
Marilyn Lesniak says
Congratulations! Your post was my feature pick at #WWBlogHop this week. Visit me at https://www.marilynstreats.com on Tuesday evening to see your feature! All hosts choose their own features from the comments left on their blog so be sure to stop by and see your feaure. I invite you to leave more links to be shared and commented upon. Please be sure to leave your link number or post title so we can be sure to visit!
Char says
Thanks Marilyn!! I’m honored!