Wk 10: Dream Big Dreams

 

The Challenge to Become" is a talk given by Elder Oaks at the October 2000 General Conference. This title is apropos for my blog post today. 

I have a dream of building a business that I can run out of my home with the help of my family. This business will contribute financially to our future, give work to my children, perhaps, as well as others looking for a good job, and allow me to pursue a challenging and rewarding path different than what I have been doing as a Mother. The idea has been rolling around in my head for so long. I have considered it from many sides. I can picture it in my mind. So why haven't I started? Why haven't I taken that first step? 

The challenge lies in my lack of confidence. Going back to school to earn my degree and taking classes focused on entrepreneurship is a good start but they aren't a magic solution. I have to first believe that I can and then take action. Taylor Richards, in his "Think Big" presentation at BYUI from March 2011, says we can all do the impossible. We can do great things when we involve the Lord. In a discussion board this past week I shared my confidence dilemma. A classmate pointed out that if we rely on the Lord, He will give us what we need to succeed. 

"When we rely on Him fully and completely and let go of our "own understanding", we have the confidence we need to move forward.  It's hard to do and it takes courage, but with Him directing our path and helping us fulfill our purpose, it can be done.  He also will help you balance your life and other responsibilities to still be available for your family. It sounds like you everything all set up to succeed.  Most importantly you still have your family first and the foundation that you spent so many years establishing with them.  Lean on that foundation in making all of your new choices and decisions and you will soon feel the confidence you need to keep going.  It will feel just like home. If you can be a Mother and raise children and teach them the way they should go, you can do anything!  You go girl!"

Thank you, Penny Nelson, for your heartfelt and much-needed response! 

And also a big shout out to those below who share wisdom with us on the importance of dreams! 

“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
― H. Jackson Brown Jr., P.S. I Love You

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”
― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

“Don't be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.”
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt

https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/dreams



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