Childhood Lessons
The first time I dared to create the seemingly impossible I was 13-years-old. I set my sights on attending one of the best schools in Atlanta, even though most of the odds were against me (didn’t have family there, applying in a year where they took a handfull of students, different religion, to name a few). My parents prepared me for the most likely outcome: “We think it’s great you want to do this, Jackie, but this school is very difficult to get into, so do your best, but know that you probably won’t get in and that’s okay.” I acknowledged what they said, but I had never wanted anything so badly in my short life, and I put my body, heart, and soul into that application.
I’ll never forget opening my acceptance letter months later in my dad’s car before a basketball game. I had to immediately get out of the car because I couldn’t contain my excitement and began jumping up and down ecstatically, “I got in! I got in!” That moment forever changed my concept of what was possible.
Kuna Yala Basketball, Panama
Two years later, I was crushed when I made the 9th grade basketball team instead of Junior Varsity. The 9th grade team was where middle schoolers went to retire from the sport. After bawling at the news and lamenting for a few days, I decided I would just skip Junior Varsity all together and move right onto Varsity as a sophomore the next year. I worked my ass off–showed up at 6:30am to play at the gym with adult men, worked out, practiced, got as much playing time as possible, etc. and when tryouts came around, I made the team.
Why am I telling you all this?
I learned two of the most valuable lessons of my life as a teenager: dream as big as possible and keep going until you make your dreams a reality!
I’ve applied these two lessons throughout my life and the results continually amaze me! I heard a quote recently that confirms these values: “If you can imagine it, you’re ready to create it.”
- What are you ready to create?
- What is your biggest dream(s)?
- How would you feel if you lived your dream every day of your life?
- What is possible in this moment to step towards your dream?
- What’s stopping you?
It’s important to remember as I wrote in Dreams Do Come True, that we’re not in this alone. We are here to help and celebrate one another share our gifts and be the best version of ourselves if we open our hearts to that truth.
I recently created a course for people that are ready to live their passion, purpose, and dream life. It’s open to 6 special people and begins in May. Are you one of them? If so, please email me for more information at Jacqueline@6monthstolive.me
My deepest wish for everyone reading this post is that you know, honor, and celebrate who you are. LIVE your purpose and your dreams. And most importantly, remember: Everything is Possible!
I’ve heard a bit about visualizing your dreams and this sort of thing, but I gotta admit – that’s hard for me to do somehow. I’ve always kinda had trouble visualizing my future. But I suppose if I want to succeed at what I’m doing, I’d better try!
What if you drew it, Cameron? Since I know you’re an artist, perhaps the typical way of visualizing what you want doesn’t work for you, but imagining in the form of drawing or illustrating could open you up to all sorts of possibilities… 🙂
Your blog is just so inspiring, Jackie! What if my dream is so big and so un fathomable that I can’t even begin to know where to take an action step?
Thanks Currie!!! 🙂 It’s so interesting that you mention that because I just created a course for people to dream BIG, HUGE actually, and I work with them to create an action plan, so they can create and live their dream life. Let’s set up a phone chat!
Thanks for sharing and encouraging. You’re like a cheerleader for the world. I will share this with my daughter because I want her to know that anything is possible, if you put your heart into it. It’s a great message for both of us!
Thank you, Sherry! That totally made my day! 🙂 I’m so glad to hear it resonated with you and that you’d like to share it with your daughter. You both can do it! 🙂
I gave you the Liebster Award. Go check it out. http://fusteratedreader.wordpress.com/2013/05/18/liebster-award/
Thanks so much, Megan! 🙂
thanks for encouraging!
Sure thing! Thanks for reading and commenting! 🙂
Hello Jacqueline. Let me just stress how beautiful you are inside and outside!
A question: what if you’ve never had ‘dreams’. Common place as a child whenever asked what I wanted to be when I grew up I wouldn’t know what to answer, and I still don’t! Where did my dreams go to?
Congratulate you for your nice good- hearted motivational work.
Thanks so much for visiting and for your kind comment, Ernest! Hope that the blog helps you in finding your dreams and living them. Look forward to hearing how your dreams unfold! 🙂