Dismissed Dreams

A few years ago, I read a post from one of my high school friends, Tish. "Never underestimate the power of a dismissed dream. I think there must be a place inside of us where dreams go and wait their turn." ~ Sue Monk Kidd

When she posted it, I reflected on that post for a week and let it wake up some dreams in me. I think so many times people, due to life circumstances, bury and forget about their dreams and passions. Unfortunately, sometimes they die incomplete. It is sad to think of all the wasted talent that people have that is never supported, encouraged, or pursued.

I've decided to pursue some of those dreams. I don't want to be part of the would've, could've, should've club.

What dreams do you need to dust off?

Lunches and Goals

This week is Spring Break for me. This is the break I utilize to rest and this year is no different. My typical Spring break activities made the to do list: purge, clean the garage, meet up with others for lumch, workout. It is safe to say, the only thing I got done on the traditional list is meeting up with friends. I had 2 lunch dates this week. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with my friends. I didn't even think about getting a picture from the 1st lunch. I almost didn't get one from the second lunch. Tasha stopped in the parking lot to get our picture!

Both lunches were filled with great conversations and catching up. It was great to go to lunch AND  without watching the clock to rush back. Tasha and I actually shut down La Petite Marche! I can't wait for summer break to enjoy long lunches with great conversations!

Even though my normal to-do list was basically ignored. This break was a great time for me to recharge and reflect. One the first day of my break, I stopped and took a good look at my 45 goal wall. It had become wall decorations or background. I passed it daily but haven't focused on it at all in 2018. In fact, I actually completed a goal and didn't even realize it. At this point, I should be 75-80% done with it. I have about 20% of the goals completed. I hae about 30-35% in progress and the rest I have not even started. The good thing is many of them can be completed within 30-45 days once I start them. I am not going to be distraught if I don't hit my June deadline. As long as I am making progress, I am a happy camper!

I took this time to refocus on my goals. This post makes the 2nd one in 3 days to get me closer to blogging 45 times within a year. I would need to post at least every other day to make it. I think I may can pull it off if I don't overthink my postings.

Talking with Tasha and receiving her new book, has motivated me to write my book I talked about 7 years ago. It is not the book I was thinking about when I set a goal to write a book. I was talking to my line sister about it. Literally, in less than two minutes we had the format for it done! I just need to get it on paper! She has given me a deadline of April 30th. So I need to get to typing!

Some other things in the works are drinking water as the only beverage, no fast foods, and no sweets for 45 days. I am starting that tomorrow. I knew I needed to do it. At brunch today, one of the ladies gave a challenge of doing better with our eating and taking care of ourselves. There is no reason why not to start tomorrow! I decided to do the 10 day smoothie challenge to jump start my better eating part. I have been saying for awhile I was going to do it. I finally bit the bullet. I went out to get everything I need for the 1st 5 days of it. I speak no irritibility this week!

So as I prepare for my work week, I look forward to slaying goals over the next couple of months!

Living Your Dream

I asked someone. " How are you doing?" Her response, "Living the dream!" That's not something you hear often. So it had me thinking. Am I living my dream? Are others around me living their dreams?

Are you able to say you are living the dream? If the answer is a resounding, "Yes!" I am so happy for you. Are there any new dreams?

If you answered, "No", then why not? What is holding you back from making that statement? Take some time to examine your life to see what transformations (changes) you need to make to be living YOUR dream.

Here are some questions to get you started:

• Do you enjoy your work life? This is where you spend most of your time when you are awake. You are getting ready for work, traveling to work, work, and traveling back home. If your work life is not good, it is probably impacting other parts of your life. 
• What do you like about your current career? What don't you like about it? Create a list. Is it time for a career change or just a company change? Or are you happy where you are doing what you are doing?
• What do you like about your current personal life? What don't you like? How can you change it? Are you willing to change it? It's your life. You only get one! Make it your best life! 
• Do you need to spend more time with God to figure out who you are?
• Do you know your gifts?
• Do you need more training or education? It does not necessarily mean getting a degree. A class or certification maybe all that is needed.
• What are you willing to do without getting paid?
• What do you do that makes your heart smile?

Hopefully these questions will get your wheels turning so you too can say, "I am living the dream!"

Girls' Getaway - 2017

One of my 45 goals was to take a girls' trip/getaway. Literally as I was putting that goal on my vision wall, some of my friends and I was messaging back and forth. Before my wall was done, we had our trip outline for Savannah in August. Just that quick, a goal was progressing before the official 45th birthday.

I have big ideas but the details.....yeah, I need someone else to handle it. Then just tell me what I need to do! I am so glad this group have 2 detail oriented people. Ms. Organize did an awesome job with squaring away our lodging from getting a suite to finding a home to rent for the same amount. This allowed us to have the comforts of home away from home.

Another person suggested we bring small gifts for each other.  Ms. Organized has these cute boxes waiting on us when we arrived. She took the day off to visit family and arrived to Savannah before the rest of us. We didn't open them until the next day though.

We spent the 1st night get hanging at the house and talking. It was just a perfect time to just be away and leave our lives back in Metro Atlanta and Macon.

The next day, it was time to get out and see Savannah! First stop, brunch! We down to The Riverfront to find some seafood. Of course we had to take pictures galore.

 

Several of us had one thing that she wanted to do. For me, it was going on the African-American Tour and Civil Rights Museum. I went on it before about 15 years ago and knew I enjoyed it. Thankfully, my friends indulged me and we had a great time. It started raining during the tour. I'm glad we decided to take the riding tour instead of the walking tour! 

The guy in the flyer was our actual guide

Sanctuary of the oldest African American church in America - First African Baptist Church

Civil Rights Museum in Savannah

Our Tour Guide 

Taking pictures and giving ourselves our own tour before the tour

Organ in 1st African Baptist Church 

Soldiers memorial 

Soldiers memorial 

Literally holes in the floor to signal safe passage via The Underground Railroad

One of our gifts from our gift exchange

After we finished our tour, we were definitely ready for some more seafood! Ms. Organized's sister recommended the place. It was a hole in the wall, but we know those are the places with the best food! We stopped by another spot to pick up some wings too. Once back at our place, we talked, laughed, and had a good time! I wish I had some of the pictures from that night! Ms. Organized's sister came over. She easily fell right in with the group with our conversations. We all agreed she is invited on our next Girls Vacation.

Overall, we had a great weekend. Getting away and reconnecting in real life is just what we needed. Accomplishing one of my goals on my 45 wall was an added bonus!