Dream Out Loud

Have you ever had a dream? One of those far-fetched, "man, that'd be awesome," this is crazy but it would be amazing kind of dream?

Well, hold onto those!

I think it is amazing and beautiful that humans have the capacity to dream. To launch our creativity into the limitless what-ifs that life could hold for us. I believe God has endowed us with that capability to expand beyond our present moments with the amazing minds he has given us.

Today, I wanted to share about one of my dreams.

I have always loved to bake. I love people (loving people has been cultivated, it wasn't always there!), and I love to serve others. I also have this rather strange love for feeding people. Therefore, I have been dreaming of having a cafe, bakery, coffee shop, or restaurant when I retire. This dream is something that I held onto since I was little, but I will sure tell you- it was something I didn't think could actually ever happen.

The title of this blog post is "Dream Out Loud." That is because I wanted to challenge you: seek out those dreams that have been placed in you from your youth. Think back. Take some time to remember those today  as you read this. Your dream might be a little different than when those early thoughts first debuted in your sweet mind, but so has mine. I have grown and changed, and my dream has shifted and aligned as my personality has become more defined and refined.

Now, on a slightly different note, letting your ideas and dreams incubate within you can be good too. Let it set deep into who you are, and as you pray about what to do regarding those dreams, allow God's confirmation to stitch this dream into your life's purpose and your life tapestry.

THEN start to share your dream with others close to you.

I have been fortunate enough to share my dream with people who not only supported me, but who were also quite equipped to aid me and guide me in beginning to make this dream a reality. In fact, God gave me the opportunity to be in an entrepreneurship class this semester. He used this class to show me that even though I am only 19 years old, I can be an entrepreneur. I could even start this business right now!

For this same class, our final project was to write a comprehensive business plan. I wrestled with whether I wanted to write it for my dream, or for something more profitable and practical. After months of debating, I decided to write a business plan for a cafe! That, my friends, was a fabulous decision. I was passionate, and it pushed me to dream out loud. I began to vocalize my ideas and received constructive feedback, tips, and advice. I found some great businessmen and businesswomen who began to mentor me and even become my friend.

Sure, there were times that I doubted myself. Some of the people I originally wanted to count on for support even shot my ideas down. (That's why it is important to have that dream deeply stitched into who you are.) But now I also had friends who had heard me dream out loud that reminded me of my "Why." They pushed me to recall my passions and the Source of my dreams.  There were also times that my plan started to deviate from my "Why." Those were defining moments for me. It was in those moments that I almost scared myself. I was grateful for those moments because they kept me humble to remember my purpose in this business, that I wanted it to actually be helpful, to bless and to nourish my customers- it was not for my gain at the expense of their demise.

So what has dreaming out loud done for me this month?:
1) provided accountability
2) attracted mentors
3) inspired new friendships for now and the future
4) shown me the importance of knowing why you are striving
5) renewed purpose


Where is this dream today?
Today, I have a business plan. I have mapped out legal processes needed to start this business. I have a name for it. I have friends ready to help and come support me. I have business mentors to help me believe in myself and to help me avoid stupid mistakes!
Are there still kinks? Yup! There sure are! But I am going to keep on improving it, pulling from my new pool of resources and from people of expertise as they are able to help me!

So if you are needing a renewed sense of purpose, think back to what God has already put in your heart and mind. He may call you to pioneer something new or to partner with someone else!

Best to you all this week! Be brave and chase your dreams!

Cheers,
Melly