Spark and Inspire Question #3: The Hardest Part of Pursuing a Dream is...

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Question #3

The hardest part about pursuing a dream 
is . . .

Owning our story and loving ourselves through

that process is the bravest thing we will ever do.

-

Brene Brown

the tenacity, the determination, the drive, the risk, the stamina, the hard

work, the long days, the sleepless nights, the loneliness, the uncertainty,

the confusion, the discouragement, the frustration, the spirit draining, the

fatigue, the unknown.

And yet… something inside me cannot let go of dreaming. It reminds me of

hope and without hope what is the point of living?

Nolwenn Petitbois:

never giving up. But with time, and no matter how big or how small the

dream is, I realized that giving up was the easiest way out. The best way

not to be disappointed is to actually never get near the point we wanted to

arrive to. But what if the dreamers were true when saying that the harder

you work the greater the reward?

I believe that a dream can’t end up in your life if you did nothing for it,

absolutely nothing for it.

I may be wrong but this is how I see it, for me anyway.

Another very hard part about pursuing a dream is the trust issue. Feeling in

your gut that no matter how your dream will come true, it WILL come true

for sure. Sometimes, we envision a whole big map to go from the dream’s

seed to the dream in full bloom, set up a timeline even.

But once you trust and commit to go on despite the bumps on the roads,

each and every dream can come true.

Jean Simrose:

My dream has been an ever-changing challenge throughout my life. I am

interested in so many things that my focus has continually changed over

the years. I have been a licensed beautician, done accounting, worked for

an oil company and worked as a mental health social worker. Creating

things and working with my hands has always been a hobby. Making a

career of it has been the hardest part of pursuing this dream. I sometimes

question my talent and ability to make jewelry people will buy. I internalize

the negativity from others who don’t believe I can succeed. It is difficult not

to become disillusioned in my own ability to follow my dreams.

Surrounding myself with supportive, positive people who believe in me

helps me to follow my ultimate dream….creating things that people value

and inspiring others to follow their dreams as well.

Alease McClenningham:

. . . the naysayers.

There are so many people who are non-believers that they can derail your

dreams.

The important thing is to only listen to yourself and your needs.

It is important to surround yourself with positive people.

Kelly Warren:

I think the hardest part about pursuing a dream, first and foremost,

is taking that first step and putting it out there! And then the second

hardest part about pursuing that dream is remaining realistic about your

situation and what’s doable at whatever point you are in your life.

That means accepting that the dream may not happen tomorrow, or the

next day, or the next month, or even the next year. But as long as you keep

it out there and keep trying, even if it’s just inch by inch, hope springs

eternal.

That said, I think another aspect of that, which sticks with the reality

theme, is accepting when you need to take a step back and reevaluate. One

of my dreams is to have a retreat center and offer art retreats. I found the

perfect spot a couple years ago…if only I had 1.3 million dollars lying

around! So that’s when I had to reevaluate! I’ve still moved forward with

facilitating art retreats, but I had to reevaluate and figure out how I could

make it happen on a smaller scale, and that’s when Mermaids and Mamas

Artful Adventure was born: Purple Cottage Retreats. I still haven’t given up

on the big dream, just seeing what I can do in the meantime to get me

there.

Jan Avellana:

Having a vision of what you want to do, and where you want to go, but

being unable to pursue it wholeheartedly. Pursuing a dream is also difficult

because often, this pursuit entails sacrifice—money, time, emotion—and

these sacrifices may affect the people you live with, who depend on you to

be fully present for them and to provide financially for them. Sometimes

pursuing my artistic dreams feels too foolish, the price, too high to pay,

considering everyone involved. I am finding in my own creative journey,

that in order to pursue my creative dreams, I must also find a way to

supplement my earnings with an outside job—a challenge to be sure, with

two young children and a Hawaii-sized mortgage!

Sonya McCllough:

holding tight to the whisper of the dream.

The soft and delicate whisper is much like the wind.

Only felt ... never seen or heard by any other then the dreamer herself.

Stephanie Amos:

listening to your heart and ignoring everyone else who thinks you should

be doing something different with your life, including yourself. I believe I

have finally realized that I am an artist and creating art is what I should be

doing with my life. I can’t tell you how much of a burden has been lifted

from my shoulders in knowing that I am blessed with the opportunity to

pursue my dream now.

Now all I need to do is move forward with

ACCEPTANCE COURAGE and CONFIDENCE!

Kelly Thiel:

all the evil demons whispering in your ears about doubting yourself and

your art. And then, there are the nay-sayers in your circle of friends and

family, and they don’t always give you the strength and support you need.

Sometimes you feel awfully alone, and it is wonderful if you can find a

friend who shares your entrepreneurial spirit.

The other challenge for me is the balance. I have a baby and a preschooler,

so my attention is divided between my family and my business. Some days,

I feel super motivated to work, but then I am needed elsewhere. I want to

be present in my time with my girls, but thoughts of work often creep in, if

I’m not careful. To be successful in work and in motherhood is a constant

juggling act for me.

YOUR TURN:

The hardest part about pursuing a dream is . . .


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