“How would you describe passion?” was a question that our president, Nancy, asked at our last staff meeting.
“Nothing and no one will stop you from pursuing it” was given.
I believe passion and dreams go hand in hand. So, as a friend, I want to ask a rhetorical question, “Have you stopped dreaming?”
When we are children, we always have fanciful ideas of what we want to be. Yet, somewhere into adulthood, we stop dreaming and stop pursuing.
Why is that? Is it because it’s too hard? We are too old? We don’t have the time? We don’t have the money? What is stopping us?
I recently received two emails from two different dreamers. One was from Jerry Jenkins and the other from Jeremy Cowart.
Jerry Jenkins had always dreamed of being a writer, but his family was getting bigger and his time was getting shorter. So, he decided to stay up and write every night, after his wife and kids were in bed. He wrote from 9pm-12am every night until he was able to finish his book. Then, he’d start all over again. Jerry is the author of more than 190 books, 21 of which have been on the New York Times Best Seller list. Nothing and no one stopped him.
Jeremy Cowart identified as a failure when it came to academics. He took an aptitude test in high school. Jeremy scored 5 out of 100 on analytical reasoning, and English vocabulary. He only scored 15 out of a 100 on inductive reasoning and observation. His words were, “Thanks Aptitude Test, now I know I’m a Moran.”
Despite his failure in academics, Jeremy came alive when he created art. His parents encouraged him to study graphic design. He said like he had his entire life, “I can’t do this.” It had become his mantra. But, his parents would always refute that statement. They’d say, “you CAN DO all things through Christ who strengthens you.” So, he studied graphic design and landed a job not too long after college.
A year later, his boss fired him and said, “maybe you should find another career.” Thanks to his parents, he didn’t take those words to heart and found another job. This time, he was creating websites, album covers, and more. His friends suggested he pick up a camera. Since he’d received a D in his college photography class, he said no way, but eventually, he picked up a camera.
Jeremy persisted. Today, Jeremy has a portfolio of pictures from celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears, Tim Tebow and more. He also has worked on sets like E and Fox. He launched a campaign that is now global called Help Portraits. This campaign photographs people who need it the most: ex-convicts, the homeless, and those needing their family portraits restored. In 2014, he was named, “The most influential photographer on the planet” by the Huffington Post.
Dreams are powerful things. They also take courage and determination and perseverance. Woody Allen once said, “90% of success is showing up.” Maybe your dream is to raise well-educated children. Maybe your dream is to start a business or a non-profit, do the things someone who owns a non-profit would do. If you want to become a photographer, get a camera and show up places to shoot.
Every day, you must show up and never give up.
Cardi B, a 25-year-old rapper, found herself in an unplanned pregnancy with her husband. She said to her critics, …
Why can’t I have both? Why do I have to choose between a career and a baby? I want both.” True to her word, she gave birth to a baby girl and has continued with her career. She showed up to every show pregnant and did her best.
We not only want to encourage our patients to continue to dream, but we want to encourage our donors too. We only have one life and I think it’s everyone’s desire to live it well. Don’t lose heart and dream on!
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