Vocalize Your Dreams

I have been thinking about the future, about my dreams, about what in the world my goals are a lot lately. I know my over-arching goal in life is, and has always been, to have a positive influence on people, helping to mold and develop them into the best leaders they can be, and thus help them grow closer to Christ. As for a goal for what I want to "be" or "do" or what not -- I am 28 and still uncertain.

Earlier this week I was reading Jasmine Star's blog (a photographer in Orange County), and was challenged by her three-step approach to moving forward in this area. Here is what she said, with my commentary beneath each step.

1. Set your goal

This seems simple enough, but the more I think about it, the more confused I get. What in the world is my goal? Is my goal to make a living writing about and experiencing foods around the world? Is my goal to work my way up in College Student Affairs and help students grow? Is my goal to be a stay-at-home whatever? Is my goal to be a leadership consultant to small businesses, churches, and other organizations? Setting a goal is a much more difficult task than simply reaching into the hat and picking one.

2. Vocalize your dreams to your trusted allies.

This completely makes sense, and yet is utterly horrifying at the same time. I like that she says to share your dreams with "trusted allies" and not just "vocalize your dreams." There is such vulnerability in saying your dreams out loud, even to people who are close friends. I know when I started this blog, and as I continue to dream about its growth, nervousness creeps over me when I think about telling people what my hopes and aspirations for it are. I mean, what if it doesn't happen? What if they think my ideas and dreams are lame? What if I fail?

This last question is one that haunts me in almost every area of my life. What if I fail?

Failure. Nobody likes it, nobody wants it, and yet we are trapped in mediocre lifestyles because we are so afraid this thing, failure, will take over. Another thing Jasmine Star said in her post was that it was better to fail at something you love than to succeed at something you hate. Ick. The thought of this gets to me on a deep level and totally challenges the things I am doing and ways I am living every day.

3. Create an action plan to make things happen.

This, step 3, seems like the fun part. And the easy part. Once I figure out my goal and vocalize my dream, what is left to lose? All I can do is win, and creating an action plan almost always ends in some sort of win, even if it's just the fact that I MADE the action plan! Of course, this step doesn't come until you've gone through the harder stuff, and of course there is still the chance your dreams will be crushed and you will fail... but I have have have to trust that, even if I fail, I will be the happiest in the long run if I pursue what I love.

I will keep you posted on the further development of these thoughts, as well as some of my dreams (is the entire world wide web a trusted ally? probably not...) as I slowly narrow them down and give them each their own name. Until then, here is a fun picture from a photo shoot I did several months ago for my *new* blog ... courtesy of the fabulous Bronson Pate!