There was a study done, a hospital study on 100 elderly people facing death, close to their last breath. They were asked to reflect about their life’s biggest regret. Nearly all of them said it was not the things that they did, but the things they didn’t do, the risks they never took, the dream they didn’t pursue. Will your last words be this? ~ Prince Ea
It is right now that we must wake up and follow our dreams. If you don’t have a bucket list, you have nothing. I used to not dream. I had no dreams. I was forced by my environment to push any of those thoughts out of my head because “daily survival” continuously consumed me. I am a survivor of domestic violence. I do a lot now to raise awareness and help deter domestic violence.
I was dealing with my past on a daily basis; that is until I started to dream again. I can tell you that it changed my life in all aspects even though it is kind of scary. I reflected on Jacob and my future. I spent a lot of time giving myself permission to dream. You may not be in the situation I speak about, but each and every person at some point pushes their dreams away. You drive your dreams away when you take a new job that you hate because you need the money or for something simple such as not taking the time to smell the roses. This is detrimental to your mental and psychical health.
I decided that I was not only going to brainstorm about my dreams but to use SMART goals to attain my dreams. We all “day dream” but then we do nothing with that brainstorming. I was guilty of this for over 17 years. Now I allow myself to dream, brainstorm and write SMART goals; I go where life leads me. My dreams lead to my future. Did you get that last sentence?
Tweet: “My dreams lead to my future.” ~ Holley Jacobs
With this mentality, I went back to school at 35 years old to study interests that I acquired during my marriage. I can’t dwell on the past, or I will not be able to dream effectually and have a fulfilling life. I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration majoring in Internet Marketing and my Master’s degree in Management majoring in Leadership. There’s more:
Some might say that I should stick to one of my interests. To them, I say; I allow my dreams to lead me wherever I will do the best. I obtained a certificate from The Grantsmanship Center to write grants for nonprofit organizations. I have found the creative side of me creating digital art to raise donations for nonprofit organizations. I have lost 70 pounds. I moved 1500 miles away from the only home I have known. These are the significant changes where dreams have helped. There are plenty simple ones like allowing myself to learn something new every day no matter how small.
Tweet: “I aspire to make a change that is significant to others. ~ Holley Jacobs”
I have received so much help from nonprofit organizations over the past six years. I feel led to pay it forward by leaving my mark in the nonprofit sector somehow. I do not know exactly where this path will lead me, but I do know one thing:
Tweet: “If you don’t dream, you will never make a difference in the world.” ~ Holley Jacobs
Maybe my goals are too high. That is what I have been told by a select few. I chose to remove them from my life. Instead, I surround myself with supportive people who have inspired me to follow my dreams. The sky is the limit.
Tweet: “I plan on using every waking moment to reach my goals in life.” ~ Holley Jacobs
For me, there is no other option. That saying, “When one window closes, another window will open” is relevant in my success. I use this analogy when people ask me about my life now. In my past, I wasn’t allowed to view any windows at all. Now, with time, energy, and determination, I not only, have windows opening, but I actively look for as many windows as possible and jump through them with the utmost energy and motivation.
Won’t you join me on my journey? If so, I would love if you checked out my personal website at Holley Jacobs Portfolio. Watch and see how my dreams led me to exciting opportunities. Then, allow yourself to follow your dreams in some way. My technique may not be the best for you, but there are two things I know for sure. Most importantly is that you must write your dreams down and post them somewhere that you will see them every day. Secondly, you must watch the inspirational video above all the way to the end.
Enjoy the following quotes about dreams. I hope they inspire you as they have me!
Regards,
~ Holley Jacobs
Musings Of An Insomniac 