I’ve locked myself in a hotel room to get some SERIOUS work done on my next book. Last night, I took a break and watched Oprah’s Lifeclass with Bishop TD Jakes.
If you struggle with knowing your purpose in this life, you must watch it. I was so encouraged.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes;
“You need to be around people who make deposits and not just withdraws into your destiny.”
“You can’t let go of what is behind you until you lay hold of what’s in front of you.”
“You may not fit your dream perfectly, so take baby steps and resist fear.”
This last one hit deep. I’ve met a lot of women over the last ten years of speaking, and I’ve heard many of them express this dream, this deep desire, that doesn’t match the life they currently have. How can this dream come about if it doesn’t look any thing like their current reality? When Bishop TD Jakes said this, I felt a huge sense of relief that my life doesn’t have to fit my dream perfectly today. I just need to keep taking baby steps until it reaches its fullness.
And then Bishop Jakes said “Don’t let people put a period where God puts a comma.” How many times have you felt limited by your family, friends, all well intending people, who have you summed up. That’s Me Ra. Period. That’s all of who she is. Nothing more, nothing less. Anyone know what I’m talking about? They claim to know all of you, and inside you know there is so much more that wants to come out. Over the years, I’ve had to make painful choices about where I spend my time and who I share my dreams with.
My dreams are beyond the limits of my current circumstances. And to share that dream with someone, I’ve got to find someone who has limitless belief. Who do you know that has limitless belief? And if you find yourself not knowing anyone, pray that you will meet someone. I believe you will. I believe that there is someone else out there, not far away, who is needing another friend who believes in limitless dreams.
Anyone hear me?
What is a dream if it doesn’t rise above the here and now, unfolding a greater vision into what could be?
xo,
m
Thanks, MeRa! I needed that. It’s amazing how many people will put you in a box or tell you that you shouldn’t do this or that. I’m an engineer by trade, a SAH mom by choice, and would love to start doing photography as a side business. But whenever I talk about it, people tell me that I should go back into engineering if I am going to do anything, because that’s who I am and I spent all that money on the degree, etc. It really sucks the confidence away when everyone starts telling you what you should and shouldn’t be doing.
Jessica, I know exactly what you mean. I remember people being completely thrown off when I started taking pictures. After all, I had gone to graduate school to get a Masters in Teaching, I had spent ten years writing a book for women, and then speaking at women’s conferences about wholeness and healing. Why on earth would I walk away from that and pick up a camera–something I had NO IDEA how to use. But you know when you can’t shake something? And even though there is no guarantee of where this nudging will lead, you have to follow. You have to try, give yourself permission to play. And maybe, just maybe, something will come of that leap you took. I’m for your leap girl!
xo,
m
I think the hard part is finding someone that understands your vision and is willing to see your struggles without judging. The easy answer when things aren’t going the way you want is “well, why do you keep trying? Just get a regular job.” Folks don’t say it in those exact terms, but that is the jist of what they are saying. I agree with Jessica that oh-too-often I hear “why don’t you go back to programming? Isn’t that what you went for college for?” Yes, I went to college for that, but that was before I had kids and didn’t mind working 12 hours a day and constantly travelling. Coming from a world of “get a degree and find a job” I understand where they are coming from, but that isn’t me anymore.
Thank you for this reminder, Me Ra. It is so true that we tend to put each other in boxes, avoid, devalue…”put a period where God puts a comma,” and etc…It took me years to realize my expectations of others were way too high, and that I could not rely on another to be a “destiny depositor,” although it is nice when it does happen…and it does, on occasion…and I still pray for friends who haven’t yet “summed me up.” I feel that people who do not “pigeon-hole” our possibilities are extremely rare. So it seems, to me, that I must not rely on mere human “destiny depositors,” and instead rely on the the Spirit of God to be the filler of my destiny cup. And, although my cup is often seriously cracked and leaks profusely, it is still so true that we need to take baby steps with God’s leading toward what dream He prompts and puts before us today…THANK YOU for the reminder. I struggle with staying in touch with that…taking time to tap into and lay hold of what is given today…”tomorrow will take care of itself,” Matt. 6:34.
So so true! It’s such an uncomfortable feeling with you share a personal goal with a “well-intended” dream crusher. I had that experience last week and it was no fun. Thankfully, it was a small goal and the lackluster reception it got doesn’t deter me. It was simply a reminder that I must protect my dreams and go after them full force. Thanks for always sharing such great messages 🙂
Oh MeRa this post is givin’ me CHILLS!! The BIGGEST decision I ever made, was to give myself the benefit of the doubt….to believe that I KNEW ME better than ANYONE ELSE, no matter how opinionated they may be. It was scary. The second biggest decision was to create boundaries with certain people in my life, and take more control over my exposure to negativity. I didn’t realize that it was okay to exercise my right to “choose” who to spend time with.