Month: June 2013

Has Your Dream Expired?

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What if I told you that your dreams don’t expire? What if you just found out that you’re not too old to make your dreams come true? Well, guess what? All of the above is TRUE!

For a while, I thought that I’d missed out on doing the things I really wanted to do. For years I’d talked myself out of following my dreams. My reasons were legitimate… to me. I felt like what I wanted couldn’t be done. I was sure that I was I didn’t have the right connections, I was getting to old. I had convinced myself that what I wanted was just plain impossible.

What I found out is that I had been not only lying to myself but I’d also been talking myself out of my dreams. I wasn’t giving anyone else a chance to shoot me down. I was doing a really good job of kicking my dreams to the curb all on my own. Why is that? I’m not alone in this. For some reason, we are our own worst enemy on things like this.

Your dream doesn't have an expiration date. Take a deep breathe, and try again. - KT Witten

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Sure, in my 20’s I was a go getter and all about making it happen. I had accomplished some pretty cool things. I wanted to write for a newspaper – I did that. I wanted to work in television. I did that by getting my start in local television. I wanted to work in entertainment television and work for a network. Done and done. My twenties saw me tackle these things and dive into a new city jobless determined to hustle my way to the top. Somehow, I made it happen. Then, I think I began to get scared. I felt like I had reached my limit. No girl could really ask for more. Right? Wrong!

Once I had children, my thoughts shifted a bit. Originally, I think I believed that having kids would really bring my dreams to a screeching halt! To my surprise, I found the opposite to be true. I began to dream new dreams. I began to dream up things that were bigger than what I thought I wanted for myself. My kids had given me the motivation to really get out there. Publish a book, start a blog, start a business – why not? Becoming a mom made me even more determined to not only dream but follow those dreams. What good is a dream if that’s all it is? (tweet this) I feel like since I have two little people watching my every move, it’s up to my husband and I to show them what’s possible. Instead of just SAYING reach for the sky, how about I show them HOW to tickle the stars? It occurred to me that I can’t tell them to follow their dreams if I don’t follow mine. Well, I can but why not lead by example?

Tell me what would make you decide your dreams were worth following?

Where’s Your Cape?

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I’m a mother, a wife, a writer, a word nerd, a fashionista, a supporter, an encourager and a friend.

Even with all I’ve listed, I’m sure there are some things I’ve forgotten. I wear many titles. Some all at once, others when the time calls for it. It’s the writer that I’ve identified with longest. I’ve always had a love for putting pen to paper.

Whether writing stories, songs or poems, writing has always been my release. Somewhere along the way, I began to make a living off of my words. I feel lucky for that. It was a dream I didn’t know I had. I have been able to achieve many of my dreams. The fulfillment that brings is priceless. I guess that’s why I’m so passionate about other people dreaming big and making those dreams reality.

I heard something recently that made me stop and think. “Superman was born a super hero. Clark Kent was just his disguise.” I think the same is true for us all.

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What super powers are you disguising under your Clark Kent persona?

Notes to My 20s from My 30s

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Now that I’m WELL into my 30s there are some things that I wish I had known in my 20s. I think I’d be a little further in life if I’d learned some lessons sooner. Here’s my top six list of things I wish I had known in my 20s. Let’s count backwards (David Letterman-style) – just because it’s more fun that way.

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Now that I’m in my 30s I spend less time caring about what people think. In my 20s I was much more timid and afraid to speak up. I was afraid to just be honest with people because I didn’t want to hurt their feelings or I was afraid of what they would think. These days, that’s not an issue. Not that I’m going rouge and taking no prisoners but I’m not biting my tongue nearly as much as I was before.

As I get older, my definition of old changes big time. There was a time I thought 30 was over the hill! I am truly of the mindset now that life gets better with age. It all depends on how you live. If you live well and treat yourself well, life will return the favor.

With age, the definition of who I am starts to get clearer. I am learning so much about me and what I love, what I’m passionate about and what I want to get out of life. I’ve always known that I have a love for people. I have been known to take up for the underdog on many occasions. I just don’t like to see people get mistreated. Now, I’ve taken that a step further in wanting to help people by encouraging them to pursue their dreams and live the life they want to live.

I’ve learned that taking risks isn’t for the weak. It’s hard to step out on nothing and hope there’s another step below your feet. It’s not easy for sure. But aside from being hard, taking risks is good and necessary. Risks also make you grow.

Only those of us who risk going too far will ever know how far to go. –Anon (tweet this)

Envy just drains you. It’s so easy to see what other people have and convince yourself you’re missing out. I’ve learned, without a doubt that what’s for you is for you. Don’t worry about what other people are doing/getting/being.

There’s nothing more important than family. Whether it’s the one you were born into or the one you create. Family trumps everything – period.

Share in the comments what life lessons you would tell your younger self?