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Reach Your Dreams
About fifteen years ago I was rummaging through some old boxes in my basement when I discovered a stack of poems that I had written during my childhood. As I began reading, I discovered a long-forgotten world - one that sang with romance, adventure, and mystery. It was a world of princesses, heroes, and castles, where the princess was always rescued and the dragon always slain. I felt an aching sense of loss. A part of me was packed away with these poems, neatly mummified in coffins of mediocrity. Somewhere along the way, my world had begun to shrink from one that sang with unlimited possibilities to one that conformed to narrow, predictable boundaries. Dream thieves had skulked into my heart and captured the inner visionary. Most of us become prey to the dream thieves at one time or another. They infiltrate our hearts through failure and heartache, setbacks and tragedy, criticism, and pressure to conform to the status quo. I had to make a decision that I was no longer willing to be held hostage by the dream thieves. Once I made that decision, I was launched on an adventure of discovery, transformation, and growth. Along the way, my inner dreamer awoke from slumber, shook off the grave clothes, and learned to dance again. What about you? Do you have a passion that grips your heart, a clear sense of purpose for your life? Are you living your dream? Or have the dream thieves robbed you of your destiny? You may think God didn't give you a dream. But the Bible says that God has "called us with a holy calling, not according to our own works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the world began" (2 Tim. 1:9). KEYS TO REACHING YOUR DREAMS Intimacy with the Holy Spirit Jesus said, "I am the Vine, you are the branches. If a man abides in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). Fruit must continually draw nourishment from the vine to grow. Likewise, we must remain intimately connected with Jesus to bear fruit and reach our purpose. You can never truly know yourself - or your passions, dreams, and calling - without also intimately knowing God. Also, the pathway of purpose is fraught with obstacles, setbacks, and demonic traps. As Frank A. Clark said, "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." To have the faith and wisdom to overcome these obstacles, you must continually fill yourself with the Word and the Holy Spirit. Explore Your Passions A calling is not something you choose; it is something you discover. And one of the truest evidences of a calling is having a passion for it. "It is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you - energizing and creating in you the power and desire - both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight." Phil 2:13 AMP God places desires in us to motivate, inspire, and equip us to fulfill our destiny. Ask yourself, What makes my heart sing? What produces a deep inner assurance that this is what I was born to do? What inspires creativity, ideas and vision? Sometimes, God-inspired passions and dreams can be buried under the rubble of fears and brokenness. The Holy Spirit is the only One who can excavate these precious jewels from their hiding place. So pray for revelation. In Ephesians 1:18, Paul prayed that "the eyes or your heart would be enlightened." Why? The Message paraphrase says, "to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes and focused and clear, so you can see exactly what he is calling you to do." Face Your Fears Fear is the number one reason why many people never reach their dreams and purpose. No wonder the Bible has 366 verses of scripture that say fear not, or similar verses such as be bold, be strong and courageous, do not be anxious. Courage is not the absence of fear; it is boldly obeying God despite feelings of fear and inadequacy. Each time you step out in faith despite fear, your faith and courage grow. Each step of obedience propels your further along your personal pathway of purpose. Remember, the desire security and comfort will stand between you and your dreams. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, "You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. ... You must do the thing you think you cannot do." Choose Your Path In "The Road Less Travelled," the famous poet Robert Frost wrote, "Two roads diverged in a wood and I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference." Each day we stand at the intersection of two paths - the path of mediocrity, and the path of purpose. Each day we must choose which way we will go. The path of mediocrity is much easier, of course. Safe, wide, and predictable, it is the path of least resistance and the road most travelled. The pathway of purpose, on the other hand, is often difficult, dangerous, and lonely. You will be challenged to step out of your comfort zone. Fears and doubts will emerge when you enter uncharted territory. Critics will mock you from without and discouragement will assail you from within. But your life will also change in ways you never dared imagine! God will liberate your inner dreamer from captivity, ignite vision in your heart, and release you to soar into your destiny. If you yearn to step out of your comfort zone and reach your dreams, get ready for the most exciting adventure of your life. You will never be the same! Judy Rushfeldt is an author, speaker, and publisher of the online women's magazine, LifeToolsforWomen.com. Her passion is to inspire and equip women to reach their dreams. Her latest book, Making Your Dreams Your Destiny - a woman's guide to awakening your passions and fulfilling your purpose, is available in quality bookstores. For more information about this life-changing book, or to order online, visit: www.MakingYourDreams.com">http://www.MakingYourDreams.com
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The Meaning of Life Life ?.. Nuthin but Blue Skies "Welcome to Canada," Ken shouted to me over the roar of the rain and thunder. A constant downpour kept the photography workshop indoors. How Healing The Past Empowers Your Future Everyday I meet people who have a chronic upset that runs their lives, and I notice that they are not even aware of it. Often the pain has become buried in their unconscious; or if they are aware of it, they choose to deny any power to combat it. Believe In Yourself Diana is a wonderful person with a great personality and a lot of talent. Anybody who knows her can easily see the talents that she possesses. Self Esteem - What It Really Is and How to Raise It Self esteem.Now there's a well used and little understood term. Clicking to Good Vibrations! Recently my dad visited me in Victoria, BC. He is THE most appreciative person I know!While we were out shopping one day, I insisted upon stopping at one place and then another and another--intensly searching for a specific item. Finding Hope In Trying Times Growing up, as a child of the 60's, peace, love and harmony were the words being chanted by the hippies, flower children and all who questioned authority and were against the Vietnam War. I remember thinking how I couldn't wait to grow up. How To Deal With Rejection Rejection! Who hasn't experienced the horrible feeling of being rejected? Unfortunately we are often judged on what we do or say, which leads to either being accepted or rejected, valued or discarded.The feeling of being rejected can come through a look, a sigh, comment, criticism or even silence - like when you apply for a job, summit a paper, send an email or letter and you get no reply! Or when you get a rejection letter having applied for a job. Patience - The Antidote for Stress Why is it so difficult to hold steadfast to a commitment to the very thing we desire? I'm sure you've had the experience of challenging your client with something to do, or to be, in service of moving them closer to their heart's desire. As you reconvene again and again, you note that the client can't seem to stay committed to the steps that will realize their dreams. What Will I Do When I Grow Up? Says The 45 Year Old Woman I have always rather envied those people who have a burning vocation; they knew the career they wanted to follow and went for it. If, like me, you have never really known what you want to do, the years fly past and you still have to earn a living. Keeping Faith Direct Answers - Column for the week of June 30, 2003Please bear with me. I desperately need advice. Why Read Inspirational Quotes? Maybe you've heard this one:"What does it profit a man to have gained the whole world, and to have lost his soul?" - Jesus ChristInspirational quotes and sayings from the present day or centuries past, can inspire and instruct us. This is true regardless of the religious or spiritual tradition they come from. Passion: What It Means To Live With It Passion can guide you, not just to live, but to live with purpose. Throughout my professional career, I've had most fortunate opportunities to associate with numerous high profile individuals and organizations, including Forbes 400 successes, politicians, celebrity entertainers and athletes. Your Turn On The Holodeck Good morning Roy, good morning Joseth.Roy? You have in your world's history a wonderful example of what life is all about in the physical world and what it is that you are doing here. Do You Feel Headed For Shipwreck? The ocean liner Achille Lauro sailed perpetually under a dark cloud. In 1953 it collided with another ship. The One Thing You Really Want There is one thing you want.. A Journey of a Thousand Miles There is a Chinese proverb that says, "A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step."This is certainly true. Personal Philosophy is Like The Set of The Sail We have all experienced the blowing winds of disappointment, despair and heartbreak. Why, then, would each of us, in our own individual ship of life, all beginning at the same point, with the same intended destination in mind, arrive at such different places at the end of the journey? Have we not all been blown by the winds of circumstances and buffeted by the turbulent storms of discontent?What guides us to different destinations in life is determined by the way we have chosen to set our sail. Change Begins With Choice Any day we wish we can discipline ourselves to change it all. Any day we wish; we can open the book that will open our mind to new knowledge. Heavy Weather Guide Direct Answers - Column for the week of April 26, 2004My girlfriend and I are basically the same age, just a six month difference. When I went to buy the engagement ring in February, I felt certain she was the right one.
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