“It may be that those who do most, dream most.” ~Stephen Butler Leacock, (1869-1944), Canadian author
Life’s been a bit crazy lately, what with novel #1 launching May 1 and novel #2 due to my editor on May 1.
Did anyone else notice that those two things happen on the same day?
Sometimes when a friend asked me how I was doing, my reply was, “I’m living the dream.”
And I am. Really.
Before all of this … there was the dreaming of this. The “maybe I could” moments. The “what if I tried” musings. The “how would I feel” imaginings.
And all of those things –those dreams — fueled the doing that led to May 1.
Living the dream
In Your Words: What dreams are you dreaming? And what are you doing about them?
Comments 38
You’re living it (my dreams that is). And what am I doing…sounds kinda crazy, but I’m letting go and waiting to see what God does.
~ Wendy
I understand, Wendy — especially because I found this dream when I let go of my “expected” dream during a season of burnout.
I’ve been amazingly privileged to do more world travel than I dreamed and am not through. I’m also pursuing both non-fiction and fiction writing and learning lots. Have seen some doors open and am working, praying, believing for more.
Dee:
Your theme song: Oh, the places you’ll go, oh the people you’ll see.
I’m living my dream too. But it’s a lot different than I dreamed it. Better in a lot of ways. More real in a lot of ways too. Go figure.
Real life, Katie.
Wide awake dreaming.
🙂
I have that same dream and so it is exciting to see someone actually living it! So happy for you Beth!
Thank you, Teri.
For years I dreamed of writing a novel. I never truly thought I could. Then one day, the story idea came, a certain friend (you) encouraged me to pursue it, and I am. Pursuing my dream of writing.
For years, I dreamed of becoming a mom. God had to make that happen, but I’m living that dream too, relying on God to give me the wisdom to fulfill this dream well.
I LOVE that you are living your dream!
It’s been delightful to walk along the writing road with you, Jeanne — and real life, too.
Funny you should mention this now as I just woke up from a dream that seemed to drag on forever. I rarely dream so I blame it on the healthy food I’ve been eating. LOL!
But more importantly, I think authors do spend a lot of time dreaming and scheming about their writing career in general and stories in particular. I don’t see how else we can bring meaningful stories to light. It’s a long hard slog with many things vying to knock you off track, but you just have to keep dreaming and scheming…
Love that phrase, BK: “dreaming and scheming.”
🙂
May I quote you?
I dream about writing and I write. I dream about editing and I edit. I dream about being a great grandmother and I visit. I am living my dream (would add a little travel, but that will come).
Dream and do, Karen.
Dream and do?
I’m so glad you’re living your dream! Some cannot make that claim and live in regret. Me? Living the dream is the only way to go. Reaching for the stars!
I love that you’re living the dream, Donna. Your blog posts have encouraged me so, so much.
My dream is to be published some day, and to write novels that point to our Father and lead people to Him. I’m working hard toward that, but trying to balance everything else, especially my marriage.
The balance — the trying to balance — never stops.
Beth,
Congratulations on achieving one of your dreams! I like your book launch countdown, building the anticipation…
I’m dreaming for God to continue to use my writing and open doors of great possibilities in that area. Trying to work at the craft and improve so those dreams can come to pass.
Cynthia,
Thank you for joining the conversation — the counter has been fun for me too.
🙂
Here’s to dreams coming true.
Live it! Love it! Enjoy it! I’m so thrilled for you!
I’m dreaming right now….
Dreaming with you, Loree …
I’m so glad your dreams are coming true, Beth. I wish you a wonderful release month, tonz of rave reviews, and lots of satisfied readers.
My dream looked a lot like yours, and I’m living it. 🙂
Thank you, Keli, you bless me.
🙂
Beth I am so excited for you. I know I don’t know you personally but I have been following your blog for awhile and have loved hearing your process. I can’t wait to wake up May 1 and see your book on my kindle.
I dream of having a book published, well several actually. I am editing, editing write now. Pushing on and praying through.
Melissa,
Thank you for encouraging me so much and for being so excited for m.
🙂
I’m the queen of the dreamers and have been since I was a little girl. I’ve held on to some of my dreams so tightly that God had to tear them from my grasp. I dreamt of homeschooling my children, but after one semester I had to put our oldest into school because I needed to focus on taking care of the twins (who were only a couple months old). That was a hard, hard dream to let go of. As time has gone by, I’ve watched God work miracles in my heart and mind about the dreams I’ve been clutching and I’ve been able to let them go one by one. The dreams that are being replaced in my heart are similar to the ones I let go, but more realistic. I still dream of homeschooling, but I will wait on God and His timing. I dream about being published, but I’ve had to let that one go into God’s care as well. I know that reality is hard to deal with if we walk into our dreams with our eyes shut, so I’ve asked God to take me into my dreams with my eyes wide open, focused on Him, so I don’t miss my way.
Such wisdom, Gabrielle: asking God to take you into your dreams with eyes wide open, focused on Him, so you don’t miss your way.
Love it.
So glad you are living the dream and inspiring the rest of us to do it too.
I’m looking forward to seeing others living their dreams too …
What dreams are you dreaming?
This is a loaded question that I cannot fully answer. I have many dreams–about living the creative life I was born to live; being financially secure enough to sustain me until the end of my days (not necessarily luxuriously but with enough to be worry-free about whether or not I can afford cable); inspiring others to live their lives to the fullest; and most importantly, living my life as God wishes, moment by moment, without the taint of religiosity.
And what are you doing about them?
Reading, studying, writing–This is my focus. I have many ideas I wish to express but am still evaluating which is most worthwhile to share. I have not yet determined who my audience is, which is key to the direction I will go. I’m still working on it and will not give up. I would so love to have a book published but, at this point, I’d be content to simply complete one of my writings.
Also, I play piano and sing, make hand-built pottery (I suck at the wheel), draw and design.
For income, I am looking into freelance work and keeping my eyes open for other income-earning opportunities.
I finally found a fellowship of Christians who, like me, are tired of mindlessly going through the same religious routines we grew up with. This is not enough for me. I want only to follow God, allow Him to refine me as He sees fit (He has a lot of work to do), and serve my neighbors in any way He reveals to me. (It’s tough living in the Bible Belt because many have been emotionally hurt by religious Do-Gooders and are suspicious of anything related to the subject of God. Still, that’s not my problem.) I just want to be obedient.
Loved everything you share, Cynthia. Thanks for being part of the conversation.
Oops. I HATE typos yet I just realized that I made one (contetnt should be content.) Sorry. [I’m not as worried about the grammatical errors.]
Here’s the beauty of this blog (besides the everyone getting involved in the conversation): I can correct typos.
🙂
I am dreaming dreams about hanging out with some of my favorite ladies in SC…oh wait, I’m definitely living that dream right now. 🙂
I’m dreaming about a story that inspires and entertains the heck out of people…my name on a book cover…a real writing career. 🙂
I’m living my dream! Now I want to live my dream full-time. God’s timing… 🙂
I have lots of dreams. I’m living some of them, still waiting on others. I am a professional cellist, but dream of a bigger career than just freelancing. I just finished the first draft of my first-ever novel; no idea what I’m going to do with it, but I now know that I *can* write one! Currently, though, I feel that my main dreams are on hold; I’ve got two kids three and under. I realize that, according to a lot of people, I AM living the dream. I have a wonderful hubby and two great kids, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything…but I also can’t help but want more. I’ve got these deep desires to make music, and to write. Currently I’m trying to be content with what God is allowing for me and wait on his timing for the rest.
Loving watching you live your dream!