The Courage To Dream

Introduction:

Welcome back my friend,

Last week we had our chat about the new year and what it held in store for us, as we looked to start over on a clean slate, putting aside unhelpful old methods.

Today, we'd be having a similar one too, as we continue our preparations on how we'd seize the opportunities that'll come our way or better still, create them for ourselves.

How are you doing?

Although I can't hear this response, I hope you did actually answer; and that you followed it up with a deep breath and a smile, even if you had to force it a bit.

After all, it's always better hanging out with a cheerful friend, sharing good vibes.

Discussion:

A dream as it concerns our conversation today refers to the desire we have towards achieving something worthwhile, especially those beyond our means or capacity from our current standpoint.

So while a dream may be the same as a goal, they can slightly differ in that for a goal, we already know what achieving it requires of us, whereas a dream seems almost impossible realistically.

Which means that while it takes good planning, effort, and commitment to go after our goals, it takes courage to dare dream.

To back ourselves up, that we have what it takes to stretch ourselves beyond limit in order to achieve or experience something that is totally new to us.

■ Examining Some Of Our Dreams 

We all have different dreams according to our personality, values, background and things we consider important.

This makes our dreams unique to each of us.

For some, it's the dream of better relationships, having been used to facing rejection or betrayal by those we so longingly wanted in our corner.

For others, it's that of a better life, filled with peace, having had it elude us for the most of our lives due to the kind of place we were born and those around us.

Then there's the common dream around a good career, successful life, money or other such things, as we wish to rise from nothing into relevance or abundance.

Whichever one it is, one person's dream can be a reality the other person takes for granted, which is why we must appreciate what we have.

Which also means that we shouldn't belittle other people's dreams simply because it's something that has come freely to us.

■ Why We Push Our Dreams Aside 

Most times our dreams keep us awake at night as we continue to wonder where and how it would happen for us.

This is normal.

However, when we can't seem to figure out our way around them, we may begin to shove them aside, feeling undeserving of them or even accepting them to be impossible for us.

This is also normal, but shouldn't be something we let keep us away from the things we desire the most.

Which means that we should look to overcome the following:

▪︎ Fear Of Failure 

No one likes to go after something without success which is why many would rather not try.

Yet how do we succeed without giving it a shot?

Failure is a part of most success and only those willing to keep trying without losing their enthusiasm eventually get things done.

There's no shame in coming out short; and only those who aren't doing anything meaningful with their own lives, would mock us for daring to do what they can't.

So rather than get discouraged, we can continue to knock on the door of success until we're let in.

▪︎ Fear Of Disappointment 

To watch our efforts amount to nothing might seem like a waste of the time and resources we would have used for other things.

Yet the experience will stick with us and may even be the reason we'd succeed with other things in the future.

When we refuse to dream simply because we don't want a situation where all our high hopes are dashed by disappointments, we end up wondering “what might have been” for the rest of our lives.

▪︎ Unwillingness To Do The Work Involved 

It takes committed effort to make our dreams a reality, yet many aren't cut out for all that work.

Nothing good comes easy whether it's a healthy relationship or hitting a career goal, they both require intentional effort in that particular direction.

When we give up our dreams after a half-hearted chase, we show that we didn't want it “bad enough”.

■ The Source Of Our Dreams 

Every accomplishment begins with a pestering thought so much so that we can't get our minds off it or concentrate on other things.

As believers, God uses our imaginations to give us a clear vision of what he wants to do for us or with us, and when this it overwhelming, it's even better.

This is where faith comes in.

Trust in God means that we're able to go after everything that He's placed in our hearts, knowing that he'd enable us to achieve them.

Here, discernment is also required, so that we're able to tell when it's just our greed or mere lustful desires speaking.

Truth is, when it's from God, it's usually a dream whose benefits will extend to those around us.

This means that we're blessed to be a blessing to others, serving as a means for them to achieve some of the dreams He's also placed in their hearts.

This is a responsibility that we should take seriously.

■ Working Towards Our Dreams 

Since all our good thinking and best efforts has led us to disappointments and a life we know is less than we can have, maybe it's time to make God the center of our plans and see what happens.

Make plans, work hard, show up, but do so with God because everything is better in His hands.

Once God gets involved, we begin to make light work of the things that we used to struggle with.

■ The Courage To Dare 

The courage to dare go after our dreams comes from our assurance that God is indeed the source of it.

This is where we derive the confidence to move forward, well aware that we can't fail because He's on our side.

Also, this keeps us humble and grounded since we know that we're not special; just useful tools in the hands of the master.

Summary:

The start of the year usually comes with it this pressure to do well, as we look to think out ways to meet up with our goals and dreams.

For some of us, we're wondering how is going to happen and why this year would be any different from the other years we've tried and failed.

Yet God is saying trust me.

All our dreams are valid and He's placed them in our hearts because He wants the best for us.

All we just have to do is let Him in; and then watch Him transform us beautifully.

In God we find the courage to dare dream and our expectations would not be cut short.

Master Apprentice.

www.x.com/truekingmaker