I just want to take this time to appreciate all of you lovely divas that are always so kind and supportive of my channel, my blog, and me in general. I know that I have been a little m.i.a. lately, but I'm a strong believer that sometimes everyone has to take a step back and evaluate their lives and see how it measures up to their dreams. During my time of self-reflection, I seriously had to have an honest and open evaluation of myself and recognize my strengths and weaknesses. I've realized that like many, I am not where I want to be because of fear. Fear of taking a chance on the unknown, but I've decided that I can’t keep letting fear run my life, especially as a child of God (Joshua 1:9- Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go).
Coming off of the 10th anniversary of Septemer 11th, I realized that the only day that is promised is today. If you have a dream or goals that you haven’t reached yet, don’t wait till tomorrow, start on it today. If you started, but stopped because of your “reality”, press play again and continue to pursue your dream(s). Other people’s perception of reality doesn’t have to be yours. The killer of dreams is often reality! Sometimes we have to resort back to our child like naiveté when we truly believed that all things were possible. The reality is that you have to believe it before it becomes reality. If don’t believe that it can happen, then it won’t!
The first step is always believing, but besides believing, there always has to be a plan of action (James 2:17 - In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead). Sometimes, it’s on the road of action that many of us get discouraged, we allow fear to seep in. What if I quite my job to follow my dreams and it doesn’t work out? What would other people say or think of me if I fail? What if I fall flat on my face? What if I invest in myself and don’t yield a return? What if things get a little harder before it gets better? What if my dream doesn't coincide with other people's perception of who I should be? What if I fail? What if? What? What if?
I’m sure that everyone has what ifs floating through their heads at times and often it’s these two little words that kill dreams, but I’ve come to realize that when used correctly these two little words can resurrect and give us the stamina that we need to accomplish our dreams as well. What if it does work out? What if I do become a success? What if I invest in myself and it pays off greatly? What if I actually accomplish my goals and dreams? Oprah once said that the best investment that anyone can ever make is investing in his or herself.
Let’s not waste anymore time thinking about what ifs negatively, the only way to ever know for sure is to give your dream your all. I’m a true believer that when we accomplish our goals and dreams, we are not just doing it for ourselves, but we are doing it to make an impact in this world that will affect generations. Apple Macintosh started off as a dream in the minds of Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne; The WWE started off as a dream in the mind of Vincent J. McMahon and was propelled by the dream of his son Vincent K. McMahon; Vogue Magazine started off as a dream of Arthur Baldwin Turnure, the luxury brand that so many of us revere for it’s timeless sophistication and elegance started of as a dream is the mind of CoCo Chanel.
When we accomplish our dreams, we have no idea of how many lives we will impact in a positive way. Look at how many people these companies employ today. So many people’s livelihoods are based upon the fact that someone accomplished their goals and dreams. We have more lives than we know dependent on us accomplishing our dreams, let’s not take it for granted.
As I write this, I realize that I’m writing this more to encourage myself and call myself to action, but I hope that as you read this, you will be and stay encouraged as well.
Hugs & Kisses
Dolapo
aka SBD4L J
Great post Dulapo! You are so right faith without works is dead! Everything we need we have within us because we are children of God. He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above anything we could ever ask or think so let's move forward.
ReplyDeleteLove you much,
CAT
Thanks for sharing your heart with us today. We all need encouragement like this often, to keep focused on our dreams and desires. And I pray that yours will be met in Jesus name. Amen.
ReplyDeletewow! Thank you for those encouraging words. In this day and age where everyone seems to be acting from fear, it's good to see someone encouraging us to follow our dreams and not let worry overcome our lives.
ReplyDeleteRefreshing read. Good luck with all your endeavours.
Http://meinmode.blogspot.com
Thanks so much diva! I really needed this. I've just turned 23 and I feel like "I'm finally becoming a woman". I've decided to do my best, more than I ever did, to accomplish my goals&dreams. I'm confident, but sometimes I do luck of motivation, cos life can be hard on us. And I think these words are the extra things I needed to take courage, go out there and do something to make me&my family proud.
ReplyDeleteSo THANK YOU Dolapo.
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL post!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I needed that! Best wishes to you and your dreams!
ReplyDeleteI just teared-up reading this blog post! This is so inspirational, & I'm so glad I decided to check your blog today because i needed those words of encouragement. Thank you so much & God Bless! <3
ReplyDeleteI just teared-up reading this blog post! This is so inspirational, & I'm so glad I decided to check your blog today because i needed those words of encouragement. Thank you so much & God Bless! <3
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post...very inspiring and thought provoking! Thanks for sharing ;-)
ReplyDeleteI am really touched by your encouraging words. I to have been my own worse enemy and have held myself back with "what if", but now i am making an effort to see my goals come to life! thanks
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing, this has inspired me, I was just saying how i'm letting fear take over my dreams. Thanks for not being afraid to post such inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the best posts I read in a long time b/c it was honest and inspiring. I hope to one day accomplish my goals and live my ideal and your words are definitely a help to keep me motivated!!
ReplyDeleteAs you have read from many others comments, this is a right on time word for us as well! It is a conformation that when we think we are alone in our self doubt and fears, there are others out their with very similar experiences. You know my pastor once said that "when you pursue your God Given dreams, others in the world are secretly wanting you to make it because it gives them hope that anything is possible!" You truly are an excellent example of this because you are not only a gorgeous Diva, but a good example and force for helping others to get where it is they want to be! At least I know you have been that for me! Thank you so much for sharing yourself so openly with us! I appreciate that!
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