Did you miss the boat?
I am on a social media break, but am so excited to have my friend Pilar Arsenec guest posting today. She is a writer, Mom, and book reviewer. She is passionate about books, music, and cooking. I absolutely love Pilar’s heart and encouraging nature. We became fast friends online and loved meeting in person recently. You can find her on Twitter here, or follow her blog here.
I had the pleasure of attending my first Quitter Conference last week. I admit, I didn’t have high expectations. I actually went to meet all of my new Quitter friends.
I had become a cynic with regards to dreams.
I remember years ago when I first met my husband, he started telling me about his dreams. I would scoff at him. I would tell him things like, “Oh come on, give me a break, dreams are for kids,” or “Dreams are not for grown ups.”
Through the years, as I “matured”, my dreams began taking the back seat. I would hear someone talking about their dreams and I would think to myself, “Oh boy, here’s another ‘rainbow in the sky’ person.” I would politely smile as I listened to their banter on ‘dreams’.
Then I met these Quitter dreamers on line. I started to watch and observe them interact with each other. I loved how they were supportive of each other’s dreams. I liked them because they were all positive and encouraging people.
However, deep down I was still questioning this whole ‘dream’ thing. I even went as far in thinking the Quitter Conference was a bunch of hype. But yet and still, the authenticity of the people I met on line lured me to travel thousands of miles away from my family to find out the truth.
Needless to say, I was a bit nervous and anxious about leaving my family behind. I was barraged by fear prior to going and all of the ‘what if’s’ started to plague me.
What if I die? What if something happens to me or my family? What if my new Quitter friends hate me? What if going is a complete waste of time and money?
I decided to battle and confront those fears and doubts head on by going. I even told myself, yes, you failed, you missed the boat, you missed your chance to pursue your dreams, but perhaps you will learn something from this conference. So I went with an open mind and didn’t have any expectations.
Well, I was completely blown away by the Quitter Conference. It was by far one of the best conferences I ever went to in my life. I was really surprised. It was not at all what I expected. All of my preconceived ideas about dreams went flying out the window. Thanks to Jon Acuff, I became a reborn dreamer.
I realized by attending the Quitter Conference I didn’t miss my boat. It’s not all over for me. I am right where God wants me. As a result, I am no longer dreading my 46th birthday either.
My biggest take away from this conference is that my dreams are not for me, but for others.
I’m grateful I was able to attend the Quitter Conference. Thanks to friends like Tammy Helfrich, Jim and Kristal Woods, Andi Cumbo, Christine Niles and Jamie Kocur who encouraged me to go, I was blessed beyond measure.
Do you struggle with dreams?
Have you stopped dreaming?
Do you think you missed the boat?
Please share your comments below.
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Thanks for having me again, Tammy. I hope you are having a wonderful vacation.
Thanks for posting. I loved this!
Awww, you are the best Tammy, thanks!
I do struggle still with thinking I’ve missed the boat. But as you (and others in my life) have said, God knew I would be right here, right now, and as such, He had made provision. He still has a plan for me. I just need to choose *today* to step out in it, whatever it may entail.
Amen, that’s so true Michelle. Thanks for stopping by. We are so blessed to have this community. 🙂
I am so glad you went! It was awesome to meet you, and I’m so glad it impacted you so.
On my bad days I feel like I missed the boat, but I remind myself a better day is coming. 🙂
A better day is coming for you, Jamie. I am so glad I went and met you too.