Daring to Dream - #1

It’s time... Time to reach for a long-awaited, enthusiastic, crazy, big dream of mine.

It was first planted within a messy-haired, self-effacing little girl who loved to read. She spent hours at the library and took home as many beautifully illustrated children's books that her little arms could carry. She loved how these books smelled; how they felt in her hands; how they filled her heart with joy and wonder. While her young self didn't know how writing would over time take a grounding hold of her adult life, she did know that children’s literature lit a fire inside of her. It created a safe place where dreams could be reality and the real feelings of apprehension and nervousness she felt on the regular, did not exist. She felt free here, within her adolescent world of make believe. Thus, this little girl grew up to love children. Children reminded her of her safe place, where imagination and wonder ran wild and free. Within this haven, there was no fear, no limits, and no judgement; all things she felt bound to in reality. She allowed the innocent curiosity of the children she adored to inspire her professional career. Teaching them came easily and reading stories to them was her most admired task. To see their eyes widen as the plots thickened, or to hear their giggles at the simplest one-liners, made her remember the joy that was planted in her as she read library story after story all those years ago. Children’s books became her favorite gifts to give... as well as to receive. This is where her dream began to take root, as it absorbed the life-giving nourishment that Preschool Teaching position gave. Fast-forward ten years, three babies, and a lot of growth later, and you’ll find me. A thirty two year old woman with an 8 year old’s heart to chase after and believe in her own recently defined, yet long awaited dream; to one day inspire and free other’s hearts with my very own children’s story books.

What potential a children’s book can hold! To the conservative thinker, they’re just pieces of paper with words and sentences written in a particular order, accompanied with a myriad of well thought out shapes and colors used to quiet a child. Is that all a piece of children’s literature really is though? What is it a book possesses that has the ability to carry one, (child or adult), away to another world? While there are many admirable attributes to a children’s book, it is the story within it that captivates the reader. A story is the treasure that a book holds within its binding. The front and back covers pack an array of emotions between them. These emotions attract the recipient because they are wondrously relatable. We are emotional and relatable beings by nature. We crave to understand others and to be understood ourselves. This is why a book, filled with invigorative language can hold and inspire a dream, as it did for me from childhood.

Dreaming is a complex activity, as it requires development and growth to reach the peak of its motivational calling. Whether it be a month or a few decades, development is part of the process for a dream to gain its most influential outcome. I believe a dream can originate in a few different ways. One way may be that it developed from a relatable emotion that was realized within a story, (written or spoken). This emotion would be one that inspired a goal; either to benefit oneself, or another. I also believe a dream can arise from a deep desire to defeat an insecurity within oneself. One way or the other, I strongly believe a dream is an undeserved gift from our Creator, intended to give meaning and purpose to life. For me, I suppose it is both. My dream originated from both a desire to beat my timid insecurities, as well as to reach the world of both children and adults with the power of inspiration and imagination. This dream was indeed a gift. Without that realization, I cannot attain the purpose in which I seek. That purpose is bigger than just me.

Through reaching my dream to write children’s books of my own, I hope to help others find truth they may not have otherwise known. Because I remember this calling was gifted to me, I more eagerly strive to give back a helping hand to those without the courage to reach for their own dream, and in turn find their purpose. Dreams provide purpose. Purpose is powerful. I am certain I have a few important purposes to accomplish within this one life that I obtain, but I am finding that the most meaningful purpose and desire I have is to be a valuable resource to the One from Whom my dream was authored. I want to reach beyond myself, using the gift of letters, sentences, shapes and colors, to plant deep joy within the heart of another, just as it was done for me. Life giving lessons can be earth-shatteringly loud, within the silent power of a book.