I know what you are thinking...
I sound like a life coach. (Man, I wish I had thought of that job! )
But I mean it,
Only 5 Steps to Achieve Your Dreams
We tell our kids all the time that they can do whatever they set their minds on. Dream Big!
The only catch is that the dreams that you might think are theirs or yours may be just that. YOUR dreams. What you desire to do might not be what God has in store for you...
His Dreams.
His Plans.
That being said, I believe God instills in each of us a desire and enjoyment of a certain activity that combines with talents or gifts He has given us.
God tells us in Romans 12:5-7 that He gives us different gifts and talents.
And with those talents, those natural bents, you tend to want to do something. Be something. Write something. Teach something. Serve people. Decorate homes. Care for the elderly. Guide people. Do something. Create something.
Have you achieved all that you want? All that you think you can do for Him?
If you are still breathing, He still has work for you to complete. He is still working on and in your Heart. Your HEART. That is where we will start:
STEP 1:
H - Hurt
What?! What kind of beginning is that? Yep, I said it. Step one is being okay with not being where you thought you would be. It is being okay with feeling disappointed enough to do something. It is okay to hurt. It is being okay with the fact that the book you have been wanting to write for five years, and had an outline for, but you had all these kids that needed your attention and time and you had to work so you never got to write it, and someone else just published a book with the same idea...or something like that. (sigh)
It is okay feeling a tinge of sadness when you see a house that is organized and clean and all the kids there wear underwear. Because I guess to some, that is a big deal. Our household, not so much... It all depends on the never-ending laundry situation...
It is okay if your child cries over not making the musical. Let her cry. Cry with her, but then tell her there is hope.
Be upset, be bummed, be disappointed. But then...Be done.
STEP 2:
E - Endure
This is where your hurt turns into work. Yes, you have to endure and persevere to make your goals happen. Success does not come overnight. I should have written that book then. Someone else should have taken that extra class in college. Another should have trained a little harder. But all these "should haves" need to be turned into "will do." You have to set your mind on the fact that anything takes work. Be prepared for a few sacrifices. Even the whole world took six days. Did you really think you would get your closet organized in one Saturday afternoon?
Remember, your children will look to you to set the tone for these MOMents. Will you encourage them to keep practicing for the recital? Will you write out a list of college grants to apply for and help them check off each one? Do you sit with them as they practice their audition song? And then, do you spend that much time on your dream? So now, you know what to do. But how?
STEP 3:
A - Act
This is the most detailed step as far as the planning that goes into it. This is the part where I sound like a life coach again. I wonder how much they make?
This is where you act on your dream. Make an action plan.
First, write down your dream. His dream.
Then,
You need to set goals. Little goals. Day by day goals.
For example, I cannot just say,"I am going to write a book today" (because that one author already wrote it...) :)
No, I need to break it up. I am going to do one blog entry. This week I am going to send out one proposal. This week, I will write 1,000 pages.
For someone else, it could be, "Today, I am going to clean my junk drawer. This week, I will switch out my clothes for winter." Or it could be, "Today, I am going to find my old resume. This week, I will rewrite it. Next week, I will send it to three employment offices." Or, "Today, I will write out a daily reading calendar for the whole Bible. Tomorrow, I will start on Day One."
You have to act on it. Make lists. Check the list. Double check the list. Start simply, but simply start!
STEP 4:
R - Reach Out
This is one of the most fun steps for some, but could be terrifying for others. You need to reach out for help. It could be as simple as asking someone to proofread an article. Have a friend go through one bin of summer clothes with you. Meet with an advisor to evaluate your spending budget. OR it could mean a little more. Set up a time to see a counselor on a weekly basis. Meet with a mentor. Contact several communities to get connected. A little networking goes a long way. And keep track of those networks. Be organized with each step. The worst thing I did was lose the name of an editor that said I could send him a manuscript of a book. Lost chance. Lesson learned.
People want to help. Especially your friends. They are there to support you when it is hard and to celebrate when things do start falling into place.
and STEP 5:
T - Thank Him
This is the most important. Thank God for what He has done so far. Celebrate the little things in achieving your dreams. Throw a mini party with the kids once the whole basement is clean. Do not agonize about the whole house. Be thankful you have a home to live in, and celebrate that fact. Go out for ice cream when you memorized the book of James or maybe even just the first verse. Write a letter to your grandchildren (that you have or that you might have someday) and record all the details of running the marathon. Not just when you finished it, but even the training. Life is made up of the training. Each step will be a celebration of what God is doing so far in your story. Teach your children to be grateful for the little things in their lives.
A friend shared a great idea: Make a backward bucket list and list all the things you have done. You will see that He has already given you more than you could have asked or imagined. And He will continue to give you gifts. Gifts to use for Him.
He gave you your talents, your being, your HEART. He came to live in your heart.
To love.
To live.
To love. YOU.
I pray as I write these words that you might give your heart to Him. HE is the one who gave you this MOMent.
How will you use it?
