I have a dream!
Those are the words of one of my greatest heroes, but unfortunately I’ve let a dream sit on the shelf for 15 years.
I keep saying, “one day” but doing nothing about it.
There is a long list of reasons that this dream doesn’t seem feasible, but it hasn’t gone away. It’s always there, right at the edge and I just push it away.
Celebrating 25 years as a cancer survivor has reminded me that we don’t always get “one day.”
So I’m going to do something about it.
The greatest restrictions on our dreams are often self-inflicted.
My first step is to stop making excuses. My second to stop blaming others.
Then it’s time to take the restrictions off.
Restriction #1: It doesn’t make sense
It’s never going to make sense. In fact, the longer I’ve put it off the less sense it makes.
It’s a dream.
Dreams don’t take shape in concrete form. They unfold. They have a beginning. They start somewhere and it’s usually small.
Today I will break down the dream into doable parts and put one brushstroke on the canvas. I’m not putting a time line on it. I’m not trying to do it all this week.
What’s your dream?
Is it something that God has burned on your heart and, as much as you run from it, is it still there?
That dream might not make sense until you arrive. Even then you might look back and see that the trust journey was the best part of going after your dream.
Restriction #2: It’s not going to work
So what? Your dream isn’t about receiving awards or affirmation. It’s the beauty of living out that dream.
I have no idea how people will respond to this particular dream, but I know how I feel about it.
That’s what matters — me, God, my family.
If it’s a huge success, awesome. If it’s not, awesome. I pursued my dream!
Restriction #3: It takes time that I don’t have
One of the saddest things I’ve read in a long time is a list of regrets from people facing the end of their lives. One of the biggest regrets is how they spent their time.
[ctt template=”4″ link=”vP06o” via=”yes” ]One of the biggest end-of-life regrets is how we spent our time. We can change that while we still have time. #livefreeThursday @suzanneeller[/ctt]
I have time for my faith.
I have time for Facebook.
I have time for writing deadlines.
I have time for family.
I have time for ministry.
These aren’t in any particular order, but they are what consumes my time. There’s more, but these are the biggies.
I’m crushed with things that take my time, just like most women. So, in order to remove this restriction I have to be honest about what takes my time.
I don’t have to do all of the things that I do. Some are nonnegotiable, like family (I like them a lot). Yet even in these really important parts of your life, there’s room for compromise.
I didn’t like putting Facebook on the list for you to see, but I have to be honest with myself. I love using it for ministry. I love keeping in touch with friends, but if I’m honest about how much time it consumes I see a self-inflicted dream killer.
Facebook needs a lot less of Suzie and I need a lot less of it.
I can sit down and examine everything I do and either reassign, remove, or replace it. This is going to be my biggest challenge, but I believe it will offer my best return.
What about you?
What are your time stealers?
Are you ready to take the restrictions off your dreams?
Who put them there?
What will you do about it?
Suzie
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I have had a dream to return to my hometown for over 30 years. My husband has no desire to move and is now in poor health & needs my care. I have been able to visit briefly until recently but am no longer able, due to my commitment to look after my husband. I am still waiting for my dream with hope in my heart.
Carole, I understand and feel your longing to return to your hometown. I also fully empathize with your commitment to care for your husband. My husband, too, is in ill health; and, he is oh so stubborn to do those things he needs to for his health. But, our Lord is so good and his promises are so sure. He sends his Comforter to help us press through and His Word is also a constant comfort. I pray that one day He will give you the desires of your heart.
Thank you, Maribeth. I hold onto the scripture that says. “Delight in the Lord & he will give you the desires of your heart” Psalm 37:4.
Amen, Carole.
You are right about social media and Pinterest takes up hours of my time. My dream is to use my time in the service of Jesus more effectively.
Absolutely beautiful! I have to say, even though you might not have enjoyed putting that in there, when I read “Facebook needs a lot less of Suzie and I need a lot less of it” that statement was WHEW!! It hit me hard because I can easily insert my name in there and it fits 100%. Thank you for your honesty, the reminder that we aren’t promised “someday” and that success with our dreams simply means pursuing them. Much love to you, Suzie!
I know this is going to sound simple, but to learn to curb your time on the computer, write it down.
Seriously. When you sit at the computer, write down when you sat down, and when you got up. At the end of the day, add up the minutes/hours.
It’s like writing down every thing you eat when trying to lose weight. Seeing “potato chips” and their calorie count on a piece of paper, when the goal is to lose weight, might just be the ridiculousness that keeps you from eating the chips.
At the end of the day seeing how much time, in writing that you can’t fudge in your mind, you sat at the computer, may help you get up and get doing something else when those minutes start creeping up.
Forgot to say, good luck, and I will pray for you!
Sometimes your blog says exactly what I need to hear. Today, it’s not about arriving at the decision to follow the dream, I’m pretty sure I decided that last week. Today it’s about getting the support to do it. I told myself last week, when I got home from the trip I was on with my son, that I would start my process. On Thursday. And this post came into my inbox on Thursday. Seriously.
So, today is the day I apply for the job. Not the job my family will think I should have. Not the job my education (I graduated in May) prepared me for. The job at a company I have wanted to work at for over 10 years. The job that won’t pay my bills and won’t use my degree. The job I believe, in my heart of hearts, will lead to a career with that company, doing work that makes me happy and I feel I’m good at.
It’s a huge risk. I’m going to go over my finances today, and see exactly where I stand, so I can weather the “down time” with my income. The rest is faith. I have to believe to finally be here, brave enough to take on the critics, it’s time. And, as I like to tell my kids when they worry, “God’s got this one.”
My dream is to restore the relationship with my husband of 36+ years and to heal all those hurts we inflicted on each other. I thank God for these devotionals, these blogs, and these online Bible studies for teaching me how I can do just this with the Lord as my guide. Thank you, Suzie, for your inspirational words.
super practical, suzie – and it takes time to take stock of our time – maybe that’s another roadblock to trim and anaylze and confess/repent a bit – as in time to change direction! yesterday I spent 3 hours touching every piece of clothing to see if I should keep it – yes, I’m late to the Kando party – the magic of tidying up – but it was worth the time! (five bags later…)So what I’m saying is: it takes time to take back our time. Now I know what I need and what I don’t. I think I’ll throw myself a party – and wear something i forgot I owned (But still looks cute on me!) Blessings on you. ps you could do a whole series on this – maybe you have – put it on FB – (: Tho I don’t go on FB enough. Always love this pithy time guidance: Trust God and do the next thing. (My dream is to be traditionally published. I can only put so much time into that before God leads me to do my myriad of other next things – this weekend I speak 5x – that’s enough for a weekend. And since I’m a speaker who writes vs the other way around, it’s a good thing. (:) Sorry to go on and on!
Suzie,
This so resonated with me today. I think fear is such a restriction…the fear of failure. But I really identified with the first myth…that it’s unreasonable. I’ve found that’s often how God guides us though! In ways that seem unreasonable to us. It demands every bit of trust I have to follow that kind of leading. Thank you for your words today.
Preach! I love this: “I can sit down and examine everything I do and either reassign, remove, or replace it.” So practical and holds the potential for HUGE impact. Thank you for being so candid with us. I think Facebook needs less Kelly, too. 🙂
Love that, Kelly. Tomorrow I plan to stay completely away from FB. Why in the world would I need to check it on a Saturday. So many better things to do!
Such a great post, Suzie! My greatest stealers of time are probably social media and the things that come with taking care of my chronic illness. But you are so right. We can prioritize things. We can be better stewards of our time. Thanks for this reminder. <3 No dream is too big for our God!
Wow! This resonates with me today! I couldn’t have planned the timing of reading this post. 🙂
I woke up stressed this morning. I’m having anxiety again like I did 17 years ago when I was engaged to a pathological liar. God freed me from that and the release was immediate. This time, I can’t pin it on one thing. I have kids, work, husband, neighbors, a book. It’s just a lot of little things that I feel I can’t get out from under. I know time with God is the answer but with the girls new schedule, I’m having a hard time making it happen.
I registered to follow your blog. Excited about this book