Take the Time to Fulfill Your Dreams

I find it amazing these days just how fast time seems to be flying by, especially when I want to sit down to write. Whether trying to work on my next book, write a blog, perhaps a poem or even to simply write down my thoughts, something always seems to come up to interrupt my time to write.

I've read other blogs sharing how important it is to make the time to write, but by the time I finish reading the article and feel inspired to get working on my own stuff, my time has run out and something else comes up preventing me from continuing.

Over the years I have learned just how difficult it is to fulfill my own dreams and do what I am truly passionate about. It comes down to giving myself the permission to temporarily put off all the other important things in my life in to order allow my self to accomplish something that may seem only really important to me. My work may fall behind for a moment, others may feel frustrated that I'm not helping them do what they feel is important and a few may not understand at all. But in the end what it truly comes down to is whether I'm feeling that my life is offering contentment, meaning and ultimately joy to me. I simply can't inspire others to follow their dreams and find joy in their life if I'm not able to find it for myself.

This past month and a half has been one of those times in my own life where the demands from others on my time have consumed so much energy that even to take the time to write these words has taken half the day. But I am learning from the advice of others to take the time anyways and write my thoughts. I have been reminded that what I write doesn't have to be long, doesn't have to be profound, doesn't have to be something everyone will want to read. They are simply my thoughts which encourage me to fulfill my passion and will ultimately encourage me to accomplish my dreams. However, if I don't make the time to write them, then my dreams will never become a reality and I will always wish and hope for things I simply will never have.

I've often filled my head with the thoughts that what I wish and dream for are not important enough compared to the needs of so many others out there. So I would be better off spending my time helping these others accomplish their goals and dreams because mine just seemed selfish. However, I am learning that by fulfilling my own dreams I'm actually becoming stronger and more capable to help others because I understand what it takes to accomplish the bigger goals in a person's life.

Since writing my book, The Gift, I have met many people who have begun writing themselves and then given up because of their lack of time or lack of belief that their work is any good. Before writing The Gift, I used to answer people with the words, "I know how you feel, one day I hope to write something bigger myself, but I just don't get the time and don't think people would want to read what I would like to write either."

Now after accomplishing this part of my own dream by writing The Gift, I answer people completely different, "Don't give up, know matter what, even if it takes years. If it's something you feel passionate about, you need to take the time to accomplish it for yourself. And don't let the worry about whether other people will like it or not stop you, if you believe in what you have to say or share, than in a world with 7 billion other people in it, there has to be at least one or two others who will be moved, touched or inspired by your words. Fulfill your dreams because they are important to you, and then others will be inspired not by what you believe, but because you truly believe in something bigger."

Over the past month and a half I have spent a lot of time helping others, expanding my business, helping my oldest son with his graduation from high-school and preparations for University, helping family members, friends and community groups, speaking about God at a kids' camp for a week and working six days a week as well. And as much as all these activities have been important and worthwhile it has meant no time for myself to sit and express my thoughts and feelings through something that I enjoy, such as writing, which has left me feeling exhausted and frustrated.

Even though I've been doing so much to help others and enjoy most of what I do, I am being reminded that simply helping others fulfill their dreams while forgetting about my own will leave me feeling partly empty and unsatisfied instead of passionate and fulfilled. I can still feel important and accomplished by spending all my time helping others accomplish their dreams, but I will always have a part of me that wishes and dreams for something more and something bigger.

When we have a passion for something and a dream we believe needs to be fulfilled, then we must take time out from the things in life that are preventing us from accomplishing them and allow even just a few moments here and there to work on our own dreams in order to keep our passion alive. After all, if everyone gave up and let go of their dreams and never took the time to reach for something bigger, then imagine how dull and boring this world would be without all the fantastic and creative books, works of art, movies, electronics and inventions that have been created. And imagine how many others will never be inspired to accomplish their own dreams and create greater things as well.

Writing is one passion of mine that helps me feel accomplished and fulfilled. I took a moment and simply began to write today, when I started I was feeling frustrated because of constant interruptions and the feeling that I was just wasting my time instead of doing something more important. Now after spending the time to do something I enjoy, I'm feeling content and ready to continuing with all the other responsibilities of my day.

I hope those of you who read this blog will also take the time and spend a few moments of your day working to accomplish your own dreams and as a result that you too will feel passionate about what you do and why you're doing it. Each of us has our own personal hopes and dreams, but the only way to make them a reality is to give ourselves the permission to take some time and begin to work on fulfilling them today. And whether it takes days, months or years, never give up on your dreams.