“A successful person is a dreamer whom someone believed in.” ~Unknown
Who believes in you?
As the saying goes, who remembers the words to the song of your heart when you forget them … and sings them back to you?
You’re not meant to tend the fire of your dreams alone. There are days when the dream seems … so … far … off. So unattainable.
That’s when the-person-who-believes-in-you comes and sits beside you. Someone who knows you, in some ways, better than you know yourself. Sometimes comfort is offered in the silence of companionship. Sometimes just the right word is spoken that kindles afresh the power of your dream. You may have forgotten who you are, what you can do … but the-person-who-believes-in-you never, ever does.
And they won’t let you forget, either.
In Your Words: When the light of your dream dims, who believes in you? And this is just as important: Who do you believe in? Whose dream have you championed? Do they know it?
Comments 26
My husband is my champion who keeps my dreams going as I do his:)) Where would we be without someone to help fan our flames?)
Terri,
Without someone to help fan our flames, I think a lot of us would abandon our dreams. I know I would. So often, my family and friends are the ones who say, “You can do this!” when I doubt myself.
Oh man, I feel an abundance of love for those who’ve poured into me (especially following recent circumstances when a certain individual seemed on a war path to tear me down). The building up seemed all the more beautiful and important. Those awesome encouragers in my life–I count you one, and other dear friends, and our super star agent. I’m blessed.
~ Wendy
Wendy,
I am thankful to be counted as one of your encouragers. You are a gifted woman — your writing inspires me. And, yes, those who believe in us are all the more valued when someone negative has us in their sights.
I’m so blessed to have a supportive husband. He listens to me talk, talk, talk when I am excited one minute and frustrated the next. He’s amazing.
In return, I supported him in his dream to become a lawyer. There were many days when he was discouraged and didn’t think he’d make it through law school, the bar, or getting a job…but he did. I was so blessed to be able to cheer him through it!
Brava, Lindsay, for cheering your husband on as he pursued his dream! I think it’s wonderful how you mutually support one another. 🙂
Love that pic of Christa, Beth. 🙂 That quote touched my heart. This is a great post, and I appreciate the questions too. I am blessed to have people who have encouraged me and believe in me when the dream dims. My hubby and some friends have spoken words of life when I needed to hear them most. I have not been good about letting people know I am/want to champion their dreams.
🙂 My daughter Amy took that photo of her sister Christa — it seemed perfect for this blog post.
I’m glad today’s quote encouraged you.
Ohhh, I love the people who believe in me and lift me up. They make life awesome: my parents, grandparents, a couple crazy close friends, the Ponderers and other writing friends!! And people who have invested in me and helped me grow as a writer – like Susan May Warren. 🙂 A few people who I love and believe in dearly: my siblings. Each has different goals and passions in their life, and I love it when I get the opportunity to encourage or play a role somehow…
Melissa,
I could hear the smile and enthusiasm in your voice as you “talked” about the people who believe in you. Brought a smile to my face!
I have so many who lift me up…my special guy, my family, the Ponderers, friends, but my best Champion is Jesus. He keeps whispering in my ear, “I have chosen you….”
Great post, Beth and great photo!
Pat,
Ah, the truth of Scripture … the precious, life-changing knowledge that we are chosen … this makes all the difference.
I wouldn’t be where I am today without the love, encouragement and support of others. I’m so thankful for my husband, my family, my mentors, my agent, my editor, my friends, my writing support team for believing in me. On those days when my words sound like crap and my attitude is even worse, God provides the ray of sunshine I need to snap out of it and press on. Success is a team effort. I’m so thankful for the teams in my life.
I couldn’t agree more, LJ: Success is a team effort. And sometimes it seems as if others believe in our dreams, our abilities, more than we do, doesn’t it? It’s humbling — and life-giving.
Great question. Especially since I was just talking over my writing journey with my husband last night. 🙂 He is my biggest and best support, beta reader, and idea generator. I couldn’t do it without him!
Yay for husbands! Believe me, contemporary romance is not my husband’s preferred reading! But he read and re-read my novel — and provided some of my best scenes and lines. And lots and lots of encouragement. 🙂
My family of course believes in me. My hubby doesn’t say much with words, but whenever I need something…a laptop w/a webcam, a conference, reference books or a trip for research, he’s handling it–with zero complaint!
But I have a friend, who isn’t a writer, and her words to me are like hot cocoa, cinnamon toast and a warm fire.
Your husband sounds like A-#1 ground support, Jessica. And it amazes how sometimes non-writer friends are the best at supporting us crazy-writers. 😉
My hubby, and my kids. I couldn’t have taken that first step in putting something to paper if it wasn’t for their love and encouragement.
Loree,
You are yet another person supported by family. Here’s the thing: I know of too many people who aren’t supported by their family. It breaks my heart! I am so thankful your family supports you.
I like your quote Beth. It is so true that our own dreams fade through discouragement. Maybe that is what I need – a team, like Lisa Jordan. 🙂
I have my husband and family that encourage me and without them I would be completely done with writing.
But I have to agree most with Pat. Lately it is my Lord who whispers the most in my ear. I am so thankful for that.
Hey P.S. Beth, I finally found my “word” for 2012. Thanks to your encouragement and a lot of prayer. It is ‘eternal’. Thanks friend.
Jodi,
I do believe everyone needs a team — a safety net — to fall back on when we’re weary, defeated, discouraged. And I believe God provides them!
I love your word for 2012: eternal.
Wow.
Filled with such … vision and longing and hope.
Didn’t have working internet today until right now. Major writing encouragers for me of course are the Ponderers. Within that, you are dizzyingly high on that list, Beth. “Thanks” sounds inadequate.
Right back atcha, dear Dee.
It’s so wonderful when the encouragement flows both ways.
That’s a good point. I think I have a tendency to keep my dreams to myself. It’s hard to share them with someone else sometimes because then they’ll know every day that goes by that you haven’t yet achieved those dreams.
Matthew,
It’s good to have you join the conversation — I hope you come back!
And, yes, sharing dreams is risky. Sometimes people drag us, and our dreams, down.
But, oh what a difference it makes when someone believes in us, in our dreams.