Are You Still Chasing Your Dreams?

After pressing the snooze button for the fourth time, I decided to grab my phone instead of executing my morning exercise routine. Generally, that's a recipe for disaster! Regardless, I opened Twitter to see what happened overnight in the “virtual hellscape.” I have 12 followers and follow 200+, just enough to get me enraged or feeling really righteous!?

However, I was pleasantly surprised by a tweet from a 37-year-old woman who was nervous about pursuing her degree later in life. I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and encouragement she received to pursue her dreams.

What prevents an individual from pursuing their purpose, dreams, or passion?

Shame

Over the past 7 years, my family has encountered a number of challenges which unfortunately are a part of life that you work your way through day by day. I can’t imagine navigating this time without my canine son, Cayden! He has a unique way to sense the mood of each family member. He demands attention which takes your mind off the problem du jour.?

He’s always been good about alerting us when he needs to use the restroom but recently had an accident inside the house. When we confronted him, you could see him cowering and clearly distressed that he failed to live up to expectations. Although you might not have physically cowered in a corner from the abuse of a tyrannical boss or teacher who constantly underestimated your ability; you may still carry the emotional scars that limit your ability to reach your true potential.

Time

My Dad always used to tell me, “Corey, time waits for no one!”?

Let’s face it - life can get busy really quickly with the obligations associated with careers, kids, caregiving, and cultivating meaningful friendships. I caught up with my good friend a few weeks ago and inquired about his weekend. He said, “Corey, I don’t know what I did. I just ran around from one event to another all weekend. I accomplished nothing!” However, he did remember that he spent 30 minutes trying to get the Cheetos stains out of the back seat of his rapidly depreciating mini-van!”

Fear

I couldn’t wait to get to East Texas to spend the summer with my cousins building puck wood trucks, feeding hogs, catching chickens, and asserting my pre-teen independence. The only problem was that the Boogey Man lurked in the woods of the 1500-meter trek from Aunt Maurice’s to Aunt Betty’s house. Terrified, my Cousin Reggie and I got in phenomenal shape each summer running thru the woods super fast because nothing was going to stop us from getting to Aunt Betty's house. She always had a pot of amazing beans and cornbread on the stove waiting for us! Our heads were always on the swivel, but we never encountered the mythical Boogey Man. Although fear is invisible, it has an incredible hold on an individual's ability to achieve greatness if you let it!

I hope the past 3 years have given individuals the time and space to reassess what really matters and how they can find meaning in a cause that is larger than themselves or their Twitter followers!:)?

What are some of the things you have allowed to deter you from chasing your dreams? Now Go!