If you follow me on Twitter, or have ever read my blog before – you have probably heard me say that once or twice (not like it’s the tag line of my blog or anything… 
) It’s more or less my life motto, and I am a firm believer. It speaks to me…. It inspires me.
Here’s the part in my post where I tell it like it is, so if you’re easily offended, this next paragraph may not be for you.
I’m sick and tired of hearing people complain about there not being any jobs, or the people (especially in my home town) who say they can’t leave their surroundings. They “just can’t.” — You CAN! You can do anything you set your minds to. To say otherwise, is to admit laziness. That’s right. You read that correctly. I’m not tip toeing around people’s feelings here…
If you can’t imagine the biggest, best life you can live – if you can’t see it, and believe it… Then of course you aren’t going to achieve it. You have to DARE to DREAM. Your goals are not going to just fall into your lap. You have to DREAM them into being, and then go after them. You have to DARE to go after them.
That’s where “more powerful than the will to win, is the courage to begin” comes into play. It is COURAGOUS, DIFFICULT, SCARY to face the world. But – if you don’t, you can say hello to a mundane lifestyle. Who wants that? Who wants only what is handed to them?
Let me tell you a story;
After high school I moved to the Orlando, FL area. I planned the whole thing out to a T. I lived there for 2 years. Then, during the course of a 5 minute phone call with my father, decided I was moving – THE NEXT DAY to Texas. I had no plan. Only a dream to work in Restaurant Test Kitchens. So, I packed up my belongings and drove to Dallas to chase my dreams.
I had a lot of people tell me this was stupid – that I was throwing away a relationship, home, job for what could easily be nothing. Well, guess what? I got a temporary job at one of the top casual dining restaurant CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS as a guest relations specialist TEMP... It had all but appeared everyone was right. BUT – they weren’t. They were oh so wrong. Within the first 90 days of my time there, I was given a raise, more responsibility, AND I began mentoring under the VP of Research and Development (aka THE HEAD CHEF OF THEIR TEST KITCHEN) My dreams were coming true.
Now – lets fast foward to last Summer. I had a dream to run a half marathon. People told me I would never do it. That only fueled my desire more. So, after moving to Maryland and settling into our new home I just registered. Now, I am 9 days away from completing it, with a 10 mile medal already on my wall. TELL ME I CAN’T.. I’LL ONLY DREAM BIGGER.
Now, lets skip ahead to today. Today I was offered (and of course I accepted) a job that will launch me even further into the career of my dreams. I wrote my good-byes to the two jobs I am currently at – so that I can welcome this new journey into my life. This job DID NOT fall into my lap. I didn’t stumble into it. I WORKED for it. I DREAMED about it. I imagined it happening every day since I moved to Maryland, and today I can finally say it all paid off. Those 50+ hour work weeks where I spent maybe 5 hours TOTAL all week in the same house as Z… Worth it!
THIS is why I get so angry when people say they can’t. No, you just WON’T. I’m walking, breathing, living proof that you can DREAM up just about anything, and make it come true if you’re willing to put in the work.
Today I became a Kitchen Manager for one of the most respected HEALTHY casual dining establishments in the country. Today I am 9 days away from becoming a Half-Marathoner. Today I am 391 days away from becoming a MARATHONER…… None of these things would be true if I stopped dreaming… EVERYTHING starts with a dream. Everything.
So go out there and DREAM. I DARE YOU TO DREAM. Dream as big as you can, then never look back.
Because More powerful than the will to win, is the courage to begin.
Thank you! I think people think that if you dream, the dream will be handed to you on a silver platter…you worked your behind off, took risks and sacrificed many things all in the name of achieving your dreams.
Can’t wait to see you cross that half and then full marathon finish line! Happy Dream chasing!! xo
Its so true! I know way too many people these days who think they are simply entitled to things, even though they haven’t put in any of the work for it.
Thank you xoxo
Amen sister!
LOVE it!!!!!!!!!!!!
100% AGREE with you here. Congrats! I’m so excited & happy for you!
Pingback: Fit Friday Tip: Jillian Michaels Podcasts!
GET IT GIRL! Love it – this is how I live my life, too, and I see big things happening – the hard work pays off! CONGRATS!
Hear hear! Took me awhile to realize this but just about 3yrs ago it clicked. I quit my job so I could be happy and work towards other goals. People may have seen it as a step back, especially considering I’m now facing a lay off, but really it hasn’t been. It’s all part of the process. Sometimes you just need to jump. Congrats!!
My corporate job in Dallas – I was laid off a year later. But I wouldn’t change anything about it because I learned so much about not only the field I work in, but about MYSELF! Sometimes a slight step backwards will launch you even further forward!
You will do great things after the Kay off, I just know it!
Congrats on the new job! You deserve it.
I LOVE THIS! I am in the middle of chasing my dreams right now – I have many of them related to career, where I want to live, and running – and I’m working toward them all.
Without hard work, dedication, drive, and determination, you won’t get what you want. You rock girlfriend!
Full of awesome. Thanks
– Ericka @ The Sweet Life (sweetlifeericka.com)
WOOHOO! You are one badass girl! I love this post!
Just love it! Keep rocking it girl!
What you also have is confidence and a support system, both of which are crucial to fulfilling dreams.
You’re so right! I do have a great support team that I definitely owe a ton of my success too. Without them I wouldn’t have the confidence to go in the direction of my dreams.
You amazing fitfluential family members included!!! ;D
Congratulations! You go girl!
I couldnt agree more! I have a bumper sticker on my car that says “The miracle is not that I finished, but that I had the courage to start”. I think this is particularly true in my case being an autoimmune arthritic runner, plenty of people tell me I’m crazy for doing the things I do. You get one life dream big and aim higher! If your rocket fails to land on the moon you’ll atleast land amoungst the stars!
wow! that is incredible!!! you are a bad ass !
Congratualations!! Good luck on your half – I’m 9 days away from my first one as well
YEAH!!! You CAN turn any dream into reality if you want it badly enough and work hard enough for it. LOVE this post!
All very true! I grew up moving my whole life, like a new place every 3 years. We weren’t military, my parents just liked to get up and go if they had a better opportunity elsewhere, and I’m the same way. It frustrates me when people are scared to leave their surroundings. Life is short and there is a whole world out there for you to explore – so what if you’re uncomfortable for a little while, you need to embrace life and all of its experiences! Good luck with the half marathon
YES YES YES. everything about this!!!!!
& thank you! SO excited to run it next weekend
Awesome in every way. Congrats on your new job. You are so right – having the courage to take that leap of faith is huge.
Love this! I was told I would not run a half marathon by a very close family member and then when I did it I told him and he was very surprised! It made me “Dream Bigger” and now I am training for my first Full Marathon after running 5 half marathons!!! Congratulations on the new job! Keep Dreaming BIG and BIGGER!!!!!!
Pingback: Sweat to Street – Showing My Nike Running Love | Wild Things RUN Free
Charlotte, I don’t what else to say than AMEN.
Amen. Amen. Amen.
And congrats!!!