I had a great privilege this week. I was invited out to a rural school to speak to the grade 7-12 girls. When the school counselor first contacted me I was so excited. I did some work with youth earlier in my journey to building a speaking business. I enjoyed it and I found it difficult to market. This was like a re-ignition of part of my dream.
I told the counselor about the young women (14 and 16, I believe) who were in my session at the Ignite Your Spark session in Salt Lake City in 2010. They were so thrilled with what I taught them that they gave me big hugs along with “I love you!” every time we came across each other in the halls. The younger one saw me a year later at the launch of the best seller, Living Proof – Celebrating the Gifts That Come Wrapped in Sandpaper, that I am a contributor to and was still full of hugs and “I love yous” a year later. As a result, I had thoughts of doing work with youth again in the back of my head.
This was a chance to do just that.
Then the fear started. I thought of the time I was doing a session for some senior high students in northern Alberta and how unruly they were and how the teachers were of little or no help. I had fears about how to adjust yet not dilute my message so that it would be school friendly. I had doubts of my abilities.
Thank you, little voice, I’m up to something else!
Despite those little nags I moved ahead. Commitment is an amazing thing! I met with my amazing friend Barbilee who used to be a teacher to get some tips. During this meeting she volunteered to go out with me and help out. I love my friend!
I reworked my content and created my outline (I never work from a full script) the day before I was to go out. Typical. No matter how much I try to get my brain in gear early, it’s programmed to work at the last minute from years of cramming for tests and writing essays the day before they were due. Ahh, well, it works for me!
The session went very well. Barbilee’s help was greatly appreciated. The girls were, for the most part, not very happy to be there. That didn’t last long. Soon they were raising their hands, answering questions, giving feedback and jumping into the exercises. By the time we got to the “model walk” (I renamed what I call the “sexy walk” with adults) they were in full play and participation mode. Before we knew it, the bus bell rang and we had to close.
The girls were skipping and grinning and giggling and chatting with high energy as they left the room. Their slumped shoulders were help back. Their diverting eyes were glowing. Four of the girls came up to say thank you personally and ask about what else they might be able to do with me.
Wow! A new – yet old – calling has been given and received. I’ve always believed that if young people could only start life with the self knowledge, self expression and self love so many of us seek in our later years, the world would be such a different place. Thank you Grand Trunk school for giving the chance to find that dream again.
Do you have a dream that you’ve felt was out of reach? Or that you put on the back burner? Or that you let others discourage you from creating?
Now is the time to dust it off. Look at it in a new light. See if it still has resonance for you.
Sometimes old dreams either modify or lose their pull. We still feel like we “should” want it and yet it doesn’t have the same energy it used to. For example, I always wanted to act. Now I don’t feel the need to act like I used to. I still enjoy doing the occasional project and it doesn’t drive me like it used to. I realize now that I want to be on stage, not necessarily act. I get to be on stage all the time now!
If your dream still has energy around it, find ways to work toward it. Take small steps. If you’ve always wanted to take a trip somewhere, start by researching places to visit. Start saving. Pick a date to go and so on. Be aware that fears and your little voice may come up to try to stop you. Say to yourself, “Thank you for sharing, I’m up to something else.” Make commitments to yourself and others to keep you accountable. Make your dream happen!
“Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.” ~Ashley Smith
Nothing is impossible if you truly believe it. You have the power to make your dreams happen. Take one step and get started! Who knows what’s just around the corner.
Enjoy the journey, my kitties, you deserve your dreams.
Hugs!!!