So here we are in 2010 and a new decade is upon us. Now I don’t know about you but I have a fresh feeling about me now that the calendar page has flipped over. I’m confident in saying that my general persona is one of a positive outlook anyway but I’m certainly feeling high in my spirit as I look toward the next decade and what it has in store for me.

For the first time in my life I’m starting to think about the long term future and thinking about where I want to be in ten years time. I’m sure that turning thirty in the last year is playing a part in this new outlook, I am at a milestone in my life and it does make you start to evaluate where you’ve been and where you’re going. I have decided that it’s time to dream big and to throw fear to the ground and stamp on it!

Let’s be honest, we all have in us the potential to be great at what we do, but the thing that holds us back the most is fear. What’s the biggest thing we’re afraid of? It’s this: I am afraid that I’ll fail. I think that one of the reasons we’re so afraid of failing is because we live in a world that demands perfection, a demand that is so unrealistic. Life is a journey and mistakes will be made along the way, we have to learn to accept mistakes, embrace them as something we tried that didn’t work and then move on from them.

Another key thing that holds us back after we’ve had an “awesome idea moment” is that we worry what people will think of it, or what they will think of us because it’s revealed a particular facet of our life that hasn’t been seen before. Particularly if we have an idea that’s “a bit out there”. One thing that I’m beginning to get a hold of in life is that it’s impossible to please everyone anyway so we may as well just get on with living the dream!

Fear has a friend, it’s called: Discouragement. When we have an initial big idea that gets our hearts pumping with excitement and expectation, it is vital that we are wise with who we share it with. It’s important that we share our dreams with fellow trusted dreamers and not those around us that are quick to point out the drawbacks of a potential project. Logistics and admin have to be taken care of but we should stay focussed on what we want to achieve. Encouragement is the fuel for the journey so lets get alongside others that encourage as well as being an encouragement to others as well. What we sow, we reap.

Statements such as “Living the Dream” and “Nothing happens unless first a dream” may seem cliche but they are credible attitudes to carry through life. As one man once said “If you’ve stopped dreaming about the future, then you’re already dead!” I believe that now is the time for unfulfilled dreams to be realised…for all of us! It’s a fresh year, a fresh decade, we have a fresh start! I believe the reason why God, in His wisdom created day and night, is so that every morning we get a fresh crack at life.

If you had a dream ten years ago and it’s been crushed by life experience. I want to encourage you to rouse up your faith and give it a another shot. You’ve got nothing to lose because you came into the world with nothing anyway, but your fulfilled dream could leave a legacy that resonates through the generations to follow you.

What do we want written on our gravestones??

IT’S TIME TO DREAM BIG!

“Don’t be afraid, just believe!” [Mark 5:36]