Chasing the Dream: My Journey to Finding the Missing Piece

By LeKisha Earles

Dreams often start out like a bright spark, igniting our passion and fueling our drive. But if you’re anything like me, sometimes that spark flickers and fades, leaving you chasing something just out of reach. I remember being a kid, sprawled out on my bedroom floor, surrounded by notebooks full of lyrics and stories, convinced that the world was waiting for me to arrive. I was sure I was destined to be the next big thing—a star of stage, screen, and song. But no one told me that chasing a dream often feels like trying to catch the wind.

Fast forward to adulthood (and more life lessons than I care to count), and I was still chasing that dream—only now with more bills, more responsibilities, and a lot more self-doubt. Passion, as they say, never leaves you. But as I continued to grind, another feeling began to creep in: Was I really good enough for this?

The Challenge of Self-Worth

It’s funny how often we look in the mirror and wonder, Am I even capable of doing this? This isn’t just about humility—it’s the deep, gnawing doubt that maybe the world doesn’t need what you’re offering. That maybe someone else could do it better. Worse, maybe no one would even notice if you stopped trying.

We all go through these moments. Every creative I know has had that 3 a.m. crisis, staring at their work and thinking, Why am I even bothering? And let me tell you, it’s not just you. It’s all of us. But here's the kicker: your worth is not tied to other people’s approval. As Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” It’s not a guarantee that every door will open right away, but it is a reminder that if you keep pushing, you’re on the right track. Even if the doubters (including the one in your head) are loud.

The Need for Like-Minded Support

Now here’s something it took me far too long to figure out: you can’t do it by yourself. I was so determined to prove I could handle everything—my own cheerleader, my own manager, my own accountant, and my own creative genius. Spoiler alert: it was exhausting. It wasn’t until I hit burnout (for the 27th time) that I realized something: I needed other people.

We creatives need other dreamers, hustlers, and go-getters who understand the grind. People who’ve stayed up until 2 a.m. to finish a project and still managed to show up to their day job a few hours later. We need people who “get it.”

Think of it this way: Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” You need people around you to sharpen your skills, offer fresh ideas, and, quite honestly, help keep you sane. Trying to go it alone is like showing up to a potluck with nothing but an empty plate—you’re missing out on the feast that comes from collaboration.

You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know

One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned as a creative entrepreneur is that you don’t know what you don’t know. You might have the best ideas, the talent, and the drive, but without the right knowledge—like how to market your work, protect your intellectual property, or manage your finances—you’ll hit roadblocks.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought, If only I had known that sooner! The truth is, the learning curve in this world is steep. And sometimes you don’t even realize what you’re missing until it’s staring you in the face, or worse—until it’s too late.

But here’s the thing: discovering those gaps isn’t a sign of failure; it’s part of growth. Embrace the mistakes, because they’re teaching you what you didn’t know. And more importantly, find people who can help you fill those gaps before they become full-blown obstacles.

It’s Hard to Do It Alone

I don’t care how independent you are—doing this creative life alone is tough. I’ve been there: staying up late, juggling multiple projects, trying to do all the marketing, all the planning, all the creating…by myself. And while I was proud of my work ethic, let me tell you, I wasn’t saving myself any time. I was burning out.

Creative work thrives on collaboration. Even the most brilliant minds have teams behind them. So, let’s drop the illusion that asking for help makes you weak. It doesn’t. It makes you smart. The people who succeed aren’t necessarily the ones who grind the hardest—they’re the ones who know how to build a team, ask for advice, and collaborate effectively.

We All Need Encouragement

Let’s get real: this creative journey isn’t for the faint of heart. There are going to be days when doubt creeps in, when the road feels too long, and when your dream feels like it’s slipping away. And on those days, you’re going to need people around you to remind you that you’re still on the right path.

Encouragement is the fuel that keeps you going when everything else feels heavy. And it’s amazing what a simple word of affirmation can do. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says to “encourage one another and build each other up,” and honestly, without those moments of support, many of us would have quit long before our breakthroughs.

The Importance of Community

At the end of the day, the most important thing any creative can have is community. We need a place where we belong, where we can share our victories and our struggles without fear of judgment. We need people who will be honest with us—who will push us to be better but also lift us up when we’re feeling low.

For me, finding that tribe—people who understood my vision and believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself—was a game-changer. And if you’re out there feeling like something’s missing in your journey, know this: you’re not alone. There’s a community out there waiting to help you put that last piece of the puzzle in place.

Call to Action:

What’s the hardest part of your creative journey? Where do you feel like you need support? Let’s talk about it. Drop a comment below, share your story, and let’s start building each other up. Sometimes, the missing piece is the community you didn’t know you needed. Let’s find it together.

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