A New Year is coming. It’s time to get serious. It is time to stop talking about it and get to the doing part. Are you a Dreamer? Or are you a DOER?
I meet people all the time who have a dream.
The problem is, they always say, “I just need to do_____ first, and then, I will get to my dream.”
How many times have you said this?
I wonder how many people never get to that dream just because they are held up with the “_____” in their life that doesn’t need to be there.
Oh wait, I do know. I know from personal experience as a friend and as a therapist that it is a lot.
Here are some examples of dreams that have been shared with me:
I want to open my own business.
I want to have a baby.
I want to finish getting my college degree.
I want to get my GED.
I want to buy a home.
I want to write a book about my life and my journey.
I want to go to Italy.
I want to be happy.
Do you find yourself in any of these statements? I do.
The difference between those who MAKE A WAY and achieve their dreams, and those who don’t, is that those who achieve them finally got serious. To achieve your dreams, you are going to have to be just a little selfish and take some steps to put your dreams first.
It seems selfish, but the choices you make today will eventually benefit everyone around you. From your family who may benefit from your income and your happiness, to your friends who will be inspired by you, to your children who will find it easier to achieve their dreams because they had a front-row seat to witness you achieve yours.
It’s time to get serious. It is time to stop talking about it and get to the doing part.
Don’t be overwhelmed. You can do this. I know you can because I see all kinds of people all day every day who are making it happen. They are making a way. They are making it work.
So, what is your dream?
What do you need to make it happen?
Finishing a college degree or opening a business can be overwhelming so don’t think about it like that. Get a journal or a notebook that is solely dedicated to your goals and break your dream down into steps.
What’s the first thing you need to do? Let’s just start there. Today.
Tomorrow- do one thing. And then the next day do another. If you can knock two or three off the list- more power to you.
I have seen this happen. I have seen it work.
But you have got to:
- Write down the dream.
- Dedicate time to the dream.
- Break the dream down into actionable steps.
- Take steps on a regular basis.
- And BELIEVE it can be done.
I do not think that dreams are impossible. I think that dreams are the universe’s way of telling us what we are here to do. Listen to that voice that calls from your heart and says, “I want this.”
Now repeat to yourself, “I deserve this” and get serious about that dream you have been putting off.
How A Love of Christmas Inspired a Much-Needed Picture Book
My family LOVES Christmas.
We are very blessed. We have Christmas trees with different themes in different areas of our home.
I have a Candy Land tree and trains and a little village- the whole deal. I love it all.
Mostly I love all of the feelings associated with Christmas. I love it even more now that it is pretty much the only time of year my daughter who is 27 can come home now. I love to get gifts for people that I know they really want. I listen all year long and then when they open the present my favorite moment is when they say, “HOW DID YOU KNOW!!!!?” And I think to myself because I listen to you. I love the food, the movies, and all of the Christmas books!
These are all great and beloved holiday traditions. The only problem for me is that just once I would have loved to see someone who looked like me. Especially as I became an adult. I wanted to read Christmas stories to my babies who had characters that looked like them. There are literally thousands of Christmas picture books for children.
A simple Google search reveals an endless amount of stories with white kids or with animals as the main protagonist. Really, what does this say to a little brown kid (who is not a bear) who may be searching for a story that’s a little more relatable to them and their experience?
I very much believe in Santa. I am so serious. Every Christmas I see miracles happen, because Santa not only lives in the North Pole, he lives in all of us. I’d like to believe we can make Santa magic happen even when Santa cannot.
I really believe that my diverse children’s picture book, In The Nick of Time, truly might be the first-ever published book where a brown boy helps Santa save Christmas. I have looked and looked and looked and cannot find another. It’s kind of sad, but hopeful because this may be the first of many.
About In The Nick of Time
Ten-year-old Nick Saint never thought his name was all that special until one snowy day in December when he accidentally receives a letter meant for Saint Nick. Encouraged by his mom, young Nick opens the letter with the intent to answer it himself. The unexpected message inside ultimately leads him on a journey of understanding poverty, gratitude, and service to others while discovering the real meaning of the holiday spirit. Nick’s actions and kindness are filled with heartwarming results– results that even please Santa Claus himself! An endearing story of a little brown boy who helps Santa save Christmas.
Children of all ages and backgrounds who read In the Nick of Time will understand that sometimes the smallest act of kindness can take up the biggest space in someone else’s heart.
I know families will fall in love with this book because not only is the overall message amazing, but because it’s also a rare find to locate a picture book about a little brown boy who helps Santa save Christmas.
It is so important for my children to also feel special and wanted and needed, and like Santa could trust or call on them too. This is not a book just for brown kids. Just like I love watching all of these movies and reading all of these stories, so will all other kids from many different backgrounds, but for once a brown child may be able to better dream that Santa may just pick them to call on for help. That they too, can be considered trustworthy, responsible, and caring. They too can be the hero.
This story is beautiful and filled with messages all children need to hear about poverty, gratitude, and service to others. I believe Santa would be so proud. And so am I.
Pick up your copy and some for your friends, family, and community on the MAWM website or via Amazon and Kindle.
