Stories on Love, Life and Inspiration
Changing Dreams Not Changing Me
Life Whispers To Me Change My Dream and I Listen!
Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars. Harriet Tubman
Ask yourself, ‘How long am I going to work to make my dreams come true?’ I suggest you answer. ‘As long as it takes.’ Jim Rohn
Even if you can’t just snap your fingers and make a dream come true, you can travel in the direction of your dream, every single day and you can shorten the distance between the two of you. Douglas Pagels
Is it okay to change my great big dream? I will not completely abandon my great big dream of being a world-known Master Artist one day! I am just putting it on the “back burner” for now.
I stumbled upon Medium.com entirely by accident. Now life is whispering to my heart and soul. This is my new and second dream. To help people by telling my stories.
I have lived what some may call an ‘interesting life’. I believe God the Father has given me His gift of storytelling to use past experiences to help.
My new big dream is to be a World Best Seller. Along the way, I will help people with my stories. I will reach many readers through Medium so just as many can be helped.
I am still so very passionate about creating original seascape and landscape oil paintings. God is leading me down a completely different path. I must listen. I will still create original oil paintings. I owe Australia my adopted home this much. I have the time and passion to do both.
For now, I need to put my primary focus on improving my storytelling skills. Plus, learn all that is required to tick the boxes to get my stories curated. My stories will not help people if people don’t know of their existence.
Don’t get me wrong. Standing before my easel, a brush in hand, creating another oil painting. Creating for the Glory of God the Father. For me, this is Paradise on Earth. Merely planning, gridding the canvas and all else to get ready to start. Every time still takes my breath away. Then seeing the painting come to life, so to speak. I thank the Lord, each day for His unique gift.
But, life was telling me something.
Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. Nathaniel Hawthorne
Not fulfilling your dreams will be a loss to the world, because the world needs everyone’s gift, — yours and mine. Barbara Sher
Hurdles! Obstacles! Things kept stopping me! First, there was nowhere in my town where I could buy the white paint I needed. And, boy! Do I go through a lot of white paint? Then,… I just couldn’t get started on my new painting. Was life trying to tell me something? Was I just not listening?
Then, I started to get more and more viewers for my stories. I began to listen. A gentle nudge in my heart suggested. Hey! You can use your words to help people here. Help people! You can use your pain, your history, and your innate love for people. Make writing stories on Medium your second great dream. I am great enough for both!
I am getting carried away a little here. My stories are about helping others. I have written entirely about myself so far in this one. Sorry!
Perhaps, if I change the focus for this story now. Get back to what I am meant to be accomplishing. That is, helping others.
You have a dream, a passion that makes waking up each morning an adventure.
Let me be your coach. Let me be your guide, helping you achieve your dream. You are not alone in needing a little help in turning your dream into a reality. All dreamers need help at some time or other. You know what you are passionate about. Let me show you a few steps I took to make my painting into a dream in the making:
- Write down what you want, your dream.
- (For me) Art supplies
- My website
- Online art course, lessons at the local art gallery
- Practice, Practice, Practice.
Now, if I may, I suggest you jot down a simple list for your great big dream. Don’t make it too complicated. It will scare you if you do.
Then once the list is written down. Don’t stop till all the items on the list are accomplished. If I can finish my list. You certainly can finish yours. It won’t happen overnight. It will happen! And, the most important item on your to-do list. Is to seek the advice and assistance from people who have achieved in your chosen speciality. There is no substitute for personal experience and wisdom.
Whenever you see a successful person, you only see the public glories, never the private sacrifices to reach them. Naibhav Shah
Every great work, every big accomplishment, has been brought into manifestation through holding to the vision, and often just before the big achievement, comes apparent failure and discouragement. Florence Scovel Shinn
You will of course encounter hurdles and times when you simply feel like ‘tossing in the towel.’ Believe me. This happens. You will find the inner strength and courage to keep going. These times maybe when you need to take a break. Don’t give up, just press pause! These times may be when friends and family are needed to cheer you on. Or simply read inspiring stories on Medium.com of those who have made their dream come true.
You achieve major and minor steps in your progress along the way toward your dream. These achievements call for celebrations. Nothing too fancy. Just a little something to say, yes, you are getting there. Your dream is getting a little closer. You will reach your mountain top. Your celebration of course is even more fun if shared.
When another hurdle hits. Remember this celebration and look forward to many more. I celebrate, do I celebrate. Each time I sell a painting. I bet the ‘man on the moon’ hears my jubilation.
I hope I have encouraged you to go after your dream. I waited till I retired before I pursued mine. Life was too busy before then. Looking back. I used my ‘busyness’ as an excuse. When I feel the passion for every creation, I often ask myself, why did I wait?
So, if it is at all possible for you. Don’t put it off till later. Regret is an awful burden to carry. I truly hope in my way my story has given you a little nudge in the right direction. Chase your dream. Your life will become a Wonder! It did for me.
Persistence and determination are arrows in your bow. Each step taken gives you the vision to take the next step.
The dream at times seems bigger than you. Mine does. It started out just as a hobby. Now I won’t quit till I am known to the world. I have about 30 years left in this old body I guess. Well, maybe?
Or, perhaps a World Best Selling author! My daughter-in-law is. If she can do it, so can I.
So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable. Christoper Reeve
Don’t downgrade your dreams just to fit your reality. Upgrade your conviction to match your destiny. Stuart W. Scott
I have decided I am great enough to chase two dreams. To be known to the world for creating original seascape and landscape oil paintings. And, to be a World Best Selling Author. Along the way, I am selling my paintings and helping others through my stories.
This story also helps others achieve their great big dream. I believe we all have a dream within us. Achieving our passion isn’t easy and at times you may need help. I know I have needed help along my journey. I have set out in this story the simple steps I took before starting my life as a Professional Artist.
I promise you one thing. Life is a Wonder as you are living a life making your dream come true. It is for me. I cannot put into words just how amazing it is for me to create a beautiful oil painting. A gift from God the Father that simply keeps on giving.
These are my last suggestions. Never give up. Never stop trying. The world needs dreamers, who never give up!
