A year ago, I read a wonderful book by Steve Harvey called Jump. I actually spotted it in an airport bookstore while running to my connecting flight. Hands down one of the most inspirational books I have ever read.
If anyone knows anything about Steve Harvey, they know that he is a big doer and an even big dreamer. He often talks about chasing your dreams and ignoring naysayers who say you can’t accomplish what you set out to do.
I have been running into many talented people lately – makeup artists, singers, dancers, actors, you name it. They all have dreams of making it big, but they are relegating themselves to keeping those gifts as a side hustle rather than pursuing it full time. The reason they do that is because they’re either afraid to pursue their dreams fully or they’re afraid of the blank stares they are going to get from family members who just don’t get it.
What they don’t realize is that those people don’t have to get it. It’s not for them to get.
The dream is yours. So, why would you allow someone to talk you out of it?
Stars Who Never Gave Up
Who would Beyoncé be if she had quit after losing Star Search? Who would Tyler Perry be if he had quit after his first stage play flopped. Would Steve Harvey be the powerhouse entertainer he is today if he had stayed working for that insurance company? You have to read Jump to get that story. If those people had continued being ordinary they would not have been extraordinary and we may have never known them.
So many times we put our hopes and dreams in a suitcase and shove it at the back of the closet. We leave it there and don’t touch it for years. But, what I want you to know is that if God put that dream in your heart, you will not be able to get rid of the desire, no matter what you do. It will always gnaw at you.
Maybe the reason we hide our true passion is because we’re so afraid of failure that we don’t even want to attempt the very thing that we love. Other times, we allow our family members and friends to talk us out of our dreams.
While your family may mean well, sometimes they are afraid of who you may become if you fulfill your dream. They can’t handle it. So, they try to discourage you.
When you’re looking back at the end of your life you’re going to regret the very thing that you didn’t do.
Living Our Best Lives
Last year, my niece, Ashlee and I were talking about life and regrets. I asked her what she would do if she had only had six months to live. This was last June. Her birthday is in December – exactly six months. My birthday is in August, so I asked her to join me on a little adventure where we would do all of the things we’ve ever wanted to do before our birthday. The birthday would be the deadline. It was amazing just how much we got done. I think I’ll do that again pretty soon.
The point is, you don’t want to be looking back on life and regretting the things you didn’t do. If you’re going to dream, dream big, give it a deadline and just go for it.
