Seven Keys to Achieving Your Dreams!

 

Do you have things that you want to accomplish in life?

 

You can call these dreams, goals, desires, or hopes---they are all the same. It is the thing that you desire for most out of life. It can include what job you want, money to make, house to live in, place to travel, or it can be accomplishing a great task, building a great company, winning the biggest game, or just providing a comfortable and happy life for your family. For me, faithfully doing what God wants me to do has always been the measure of success.

 

I would have been more successful and happy if I had known of these seven keys and activated them in my life.

 

First, is to allow yourself to dream. In today's world, nothing seems to be beyond the realm of possibility--especially when God is leading. I believe that God puts within us certain desires. I have often been amazed when I see a person that is so passionate about something that it seems to consume them like music or sports. When I was younger and began to think of things that I would really like to do, I would always find reasons that I should not or could not do it.

 

This leads to the second key--believe it!!! In high school, I thought I would like to be a lawyer. I was not the greatest student and knew that law school was expensive so I gave up that notion before it even took root. Later I thought about going into law enforcement, but standing just a little over 5 foot tall in high school, I thought that I was too small to become a cop. That dream died also. Looking back to my high school days, I was preoccupied with finding a career that I could do---not what I wanted to do. If I were to get the chance to do it over again, I would ask myself the question, "What in life  do I really want to do?" When the answer came, I would relentlessly pursue that dream.

 

The third key is to see yourself in the pursuit and fulfillment of your dream. This is more than "visualizing." If the dream reflects reality, then you will have an idea of what it takes to get you there. The steps may include college, finding the right mentor, or relocating to another city. Don't just see yourself on the podium holding the gold medal, see yourself training and putting in all of the hard work. See yourself in the pursuit of the dream---not just the fulfillment of the dream.

 

The next key is important---tell others about your dream. Sometimes we are afraid of those "dream squashers" that want to step on and kill our dreams. I was so afraid of them that I always killed my own dream before I would allow others to kill them for me. If you believe that your dream is possible, then you will not have a problem telling others about your dreams.

 

Dreams are not accomplished by accident. They don't just happen. They take planning. Sometimes when we hear about another's success, it seems like it "just happened" for them. But we don't see all of the work that it takes to get there. True--it does take a little bit of luck and being at the right place at the right time, but I heard one successful person say, "The harder I work the luckier I get." Set goals and milestones to get you to where you want to be in 1 year--2 years--5 years..... Make a plan!

Success takes hard work. You must work it. Get used to words like change, adapt, pivot, rebuild, innovate, and start over. There is not usually a direct line to success. Most roads wind and have many turns. Realizing a dream requires steadfast tenacity and relentless focus upon the goals regardless of the obstacles in the path to your dream. This is to be expected---do not allow these bumps in the road detour us.

Finally---and importantly---enjoy the journey. Maybe you just want to enjoy sitting on a beach sucking mixed drinks with tiny umbrellas, but you will have missed a lot if you don't enjoy the journey. If you are not enjoying the journey your family will suffer.

 

Learn these lessons now and learn them well and success will be sweeter and more rewarding.

 

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Do you have enough power in your life?

Regardless of the vehicle, power is required to get from place to place. The greater the power, the quicker and more efficient the trip.

 

The same is true in life, we all require power to get us to where we want to go. When we do not have the power to control our situations and destiny, we begin having feelings of powerlessness. These feelings lead to depression  and anger and can lead to desperate behaviors like drug addiction and acts of aggression. People are often treated for these symptoms in counselor's offices or programs, but feelings of powerlessness are seldom adequately addressed.

The answer to these feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness is to be EMPOWERED!!!

There are four ways that every individual can be empowered: socially, structurally, psychologically, and spiritually. We will write more about each area of empowerment in future blogs or you can go to www.dunamisempower.org for more information.

Did you know that you can financially support the Dunmis Empowerment Foundation by visiting our sponsors every time you click on their banner ads above and below this blog.

 

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Pain of Being a Disappointment

 

A story I heard years ago about a man that committed suicide has stuck with me. I can't remember all of the details, but this man was in his thirties and was a husband and father. Everyone acknowledged that he had always struggled making a living, but those that knew him said that he was a good person and loved his family. The thing that haunted his friend and family--and what has stayed with me for these years--is a statement in a letter he left before he took his life. It said, "I am tired of being a disappointment."

 

The irony is that his greatest act of "being a disappointment" came when he made the choice to end his life.

 

I wonder how many people carry the same feeling? I wonder how many people contemplate suicide because of the same or similar feelings?

 

I know for a fact that many people carry this pain. I have worked for a drug rehab program and have pastored a church and have worked with many people down on their luck or are reaping the fruit of bad decisions. Feeling that they are a disappointment to others and letting family and friends down is a common emotion that many carry.

 

Where does feeling that you are a disappointment to others come from?

• It may come from the words or actions of others. They may have been told directly they are a disappointment.
• It probably means they are disappointed in themselves for not living up to their and other's expectations.
• It may come from unfulfilled hopes and dreams.
• It may be compounded by other issues like health or financial problems.
• It may reach its head if hope is lost.

How do you help someone that may feel like they are a disappointment?

 

First, they must know that your love for them is not dependent on what they do for you. Your love for them should outweigh any disappointment--real or imagined--that the person feels.

 

Second, empower them by giving them support. They may need a little help but don't want to ask or be a burden.

 

Third, shine a light on hope if hope seems to be fading in their lives. Hope is infectious. Hope is saying, "I know that it hurts now, but the pain will go away."

 

Never give up; Never give in; Trust in God always!

 

 

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