Dream Dammit!

by Texas Stready

As far back as I can remember I wouldn’t allow myself to dream.

Till one day I realized not dreaming was part of what had me stuck. Learning to imagine promising possibilities required discipline. I had to say to myself, “Dream, dammit!”

I can’t tell you the years I spent unable to envision my future.

Unable?

Unwilling? 

Same difference. Point is, it wasn’t getting done.

I just didn’t find any importance in hoping for the unlikely.

In the last five years I’ve cultivated positive and achievable expectations. Dreams.

I’ve imagined being an author, a speaker, a freedom fighter, and a champion.

A great mother, an honored daughter, a faithful friend.

And now…I’m all of those.

Woot! Woot!

Set It Up

Spent most of my life believing dreams were a setup for letdown. I mean, if you don’t get your expectations too high you won’t be so disappointed, right?

Wrong!

Truth is, if you won’t allow yourself to see a hopeful outcome you get stuck in the same old mud. And that’s the grandfather of letdown.

Stuck. Yuck!

So, if you haven’t figured it out yet let me clue you in. Dreaming doesn’t set you up for letdown…not dreaming sets you up to fail.

Roll With It

Finding my way through the roller coaster of life has taught me that it’s best to stay on a somewhat even keel. For an excitable person, like myself, that’s not easy. But not getting too high makes disappointment less low.

Remember — defeat, disaster, and deficiency are part of life, so thinking you can avoid them is not a dream…it’s a delusion.

But perspective is everything.

Change your mind, change your outcome. No matter how good it is, it could be better, and no matter how bad it is, it could be worse. The real trick? Just roll with it.

If we belong to Christ, we’re citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. This means we have access to all of Heaven’s riches, power, and authority. Embracing this truth enables us to grab hold of our identity and being secure in your identity reveals your destiny. This is good news, ‘cause you’ll never end up where you belong if you don’t know where you’re headed.

The Heart Of The Matter

We are designed with a unique, individual chemical and mental makeup. This is no accident. What’s important to you is significant. Why? Because you were created with purpose. Many times in life we do what it takes to fit in. You know, not go against the grain. Trouble is, that’s how we lose our identity.

What matters to you…matters to God

No—He’s not going against His Word, but He absolutely cares about your heart. He made you the kind of person who’s moved by certain things for a reason.

Yes—life has distorted some of this, but loving your dreams helps develop your purpose.

On Purpose

Not only can no one dream for you, no one can tell you what is or isn’t your purpose.

Do the work of recognizing what you hate, what you love, and why. If there are things you hate because of instability, injustice, or insecurity, search out what brought those on. Then forgive, release, and move past them, ‘cause those slimy little suckers are nothing more than purpose killers.

Gross.

The great thing about authentic love is…it does nothing but good.

That means focusing on love expands the good, so get your head right.

Learn to love the people around you, and yourself—not because—just because.

The Answer

When you can honestly and accurately answer these questions your dreams will come to life.

• Why am I scared?
• What do I love to do?
• Where can what I love be useful?
• How can I get involved?

Your reason for living is intricately designed for you to love it. This makes the answer to finding your purpose simple.

So dream dammit!