A Time to Dream

By Janet Daughtry MDIV, CBC, LBC –

When we are children we love to dream. We have no problem envisioning all the various possibilities of life. We dream about becoming doctors, nurses, astronauts and explorers. Nothing seems impossible as a child and our dreams are as big as the sky. Unfortunately, we grow up, become responsible and relegate the idea of dreaming to “dreamers” while we become more practical and “realists.”

In a sociological survey done with 50 people in their nineties, they were asked this one question – “If you had the chance to live your life over how would you live it differently?” Believe it or not, there were three consistent answers. If they had to do it all over again, they would reflect more, risk more and would do more things that would live on after they were dead.

Not long ago, I saw one of these 90-year-olds deciding to do defy the odds. As I was driving, I saw a huge billboard that really inspired me. It was a picture of a woman named Rose, who was 94, throwing her college diploma up into the air. Remarkable! This particular picture was worth more than a thousand words. The joy and excitement on her face said it all!

One of my greatest inspirations in life is my own father. He constantly amazes me. At 90, he is still thinking of things to invent. Way to go Dad and what a great way to live!

I believe you and I were born to dream. That childlike capacity to dream and explore is still there and, once in awhile, we feel that childlike spark flicker. We get in touch with it when we see a billboard, or watch television shows like “America’s Got Talent” and “American Idol”. We are pulled in by the characters and the stories. We are captured by the stories because we witness people, who often come from obscurity, amaze the judges and cause crowds to stand to their feet. We celebrate and cheer with them. We get all choked up with the contestant who hears the words – “You are amazing!” Once again, we witness the impossible become possible. More importantly, we are reminded that dreams are not discriminatory of age, race, gender or economic status. We are reminded that dreams are not only powerful, but possible even for us!

The truth is, as long as we are here, there is so much to explore, so much to learn and so much to dream. I believe it is in our core and spiritual DNA to dream, to create, to explore all the possibilities out there. You were made in the image of a God who flung the stars into space. Talk about creative DNA! You have it my friend. It is your inheritance and part of your very nature and makeup. Because you are as unique as your fingerprints, no one on this earth can take your place and no one else can do your dream either!

So what would I say to you? Start dreaming! The questions are – “What will you gain if you continue to stay where you are now until you retire?” What is going to be your biggest regret if you keep doing the same old things day after day? Don’t become a statistic or wake up one day with nothing but regrets. Let’s go on a journey together to discover your “sweet spot” in life, unlock your passions and explore your dreams. Are you ready for the great adventure that life has for you? You were meant for so much more – to dream and to go after that dream!

Janet is the director of Life Breakthrough Coach Training Academy and the co-founder of the Biblical Coaching Alliance. Janet also enjoys motivational speaking and is a frequent speaker for the Job Start Program through the Raleigh Correctional Center. She recently produced a self-help coaching program “Your Life Makeover Toolkit” to help people achieve significant breakthroughs in their thinking and life purpose. For more information about her coaching and speaking you may visit her website at http://www.coachjanet.com/ or http://www.lifebreakthroughcoach.com/.