Franklin Clarence Mars, founder of the Mars, Inc.

Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets

Ray Charles, influential musician

Stephen King, famous horror author

Ben Carson, famous neurosurgeon

What do all these people have in common? For starters, they were born in the month of September. But beyond their birth month commonality, they are also famous for their accomplishments. At some point in their life, each of these men had an idea that grew into a dream and evolved into reality. They literally made their dreams come true.

I had an opportunity to meet a closet writer this week. Her family has been telling her for years that she writes well, but something always holds her back. Anytime she thinks beyond the idea stage, she talks herself out of it. Sometimes she finds herself dreaming, but to make this dream a reality, what would it actually take?

Sadly, this world is filled with idea-makers and dreamers. We feel empowered in the moment and take strides toward making our ideas and dreams reality. Nothing will stand in the way.

Until it does.

Fear.

Doubt.

Insecurity.

Logic.

Somehow, we talk ourselves out of pursuing these dreams. They won’t fit in our box. Or our family’s world. Afterall, how will we ever make a living without a steady income? Dreams are meant for other people. Not for us.

And we abandon them.

Set them on a shelf.

Turn off the dreaming part of our brain.

Life goes back to normal for a while, but there is always that nagging what if.

What if I started writing again?

What if I sent it to a publisher?

What if my idea gets accepted?

What if I become a published author?

Dreams Don’t Leave           

Dreams have a funny way of never completely leaving, even when we tell them to go away. They linger in the corners. Pop up when we need hope. Come up for air when we are sinking in stress.

Let’s move into a new season of dreaming again. Let the ideas fill the pages of our journals. Allow the dreams room to breathe. Take a big step toward feeding your dreams. And instead of leaving our dreams in the dark, let’s be like the men listed in the beginning of this column and begin making our dreams reality.

Fall into a dream this week. And don’t get up until it’s on the way into reality.