December 31, 2011

Turning the Page


A New Year. Are you giddy with the possibilities a new year brings? Me too. Is this the year you will simplify, get healthy, get organized, make that big change or take that risk? I believe if you can dream it, you can do it.


How many of us will actually attempt the things that we are dreaming about? It's so much easier to just keep dreaming. Don't get me wrong, dreaming is one of my favorite past times, but if you look back on your life with regret at the things you never did, then it's time to do something different. Don't listen to the naysayers, don't give in to the fear. Don't get stuck on the possibility of failure. Here's what I want to ask you...What is the worst thing that could happen if you went for it? What are you sacrificing by not trying?


I've always been a dreamer. I used to sit around wishing my life was what I envisioned. One day I realized it wasn't just going to happen. I had to make it happen. I worked hard, made life changing decisions and made a big dream come true and now I feel empowered. I feel like if I put my mind to it, I can accomplish anything. I no longer care what people think about the life I choose to live. I also no longer fear failure. I will fail. I'm sure of it. If I take risks, not all of them will work out. But you know what? Not even trying is its own kind of failure. I'll choose the first kind, thankyouverymuch.


I cannot imagine going back to my old life. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a bad life. It just wasn't the life I felt I was meant to live. It took some soul searching to figure out what I wanted and once I did I just started taking one step at a time until those steps led me to my dream cottage in my dream town. Very often I stop and reflect on the journey that brought me here and I am filled with gratitude that I listened to my inner voice.


I have learned that sometimes you have do the very thing that scares you because it scares you. It is my nature to be afraid but I push forward. Sometimes I just need to fake it til I feel it. When I'm scared, I make myself commit to something that pushes me out of my comfort zone so that I'm forced to face my fears. Of course I regret it each and every time. Right up to the point when it's over and I'm no longer afraid. Crazy, but it works.


I love my life now. I'm grateful we took a risk and changed the course of our family's lives forever. We've never been happier. There was a time when I couldn't imagine this life being a reality but I turned my thinking around and after a lot of sacrifice we made our Village dreams come true. I appreciate most the things I work the hardest for.


If like me, you have a dream, no matter how big or small, take one small step today to start making it come true. Sit and make a plan, then take some action, no matter how small. Then I want you do the scariest part, tell someone about your dream. Then tell more people. That will make you accountable. If you would like, tell me about your dream. I would love to give you moral support. I want you to succeed. I want you to feel the soul deep satisfaction of making your life what you want it to be. Whatever that is. I want you to feel empowered to steer your life in a direction that gives you joy, that fills you with peace and that makes you feel like you are living the life you were meant to live.

This year we have 366 days. I'm going to make mine count.



(except the first picture, all the above pics are from pinterest)

24 comments:

  1. i love this post, you are so true, thanks for being an inspiration for me. i took a risk and literally was pushed out due to bad circumstances,and started to work part time. that meant 1/2 my salary, was scary, but i am sooo happy and glad i took that risk and trusted God. God is faithful. Jeremiah 29:11 For i know the plans i have for you declare the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. May God continue to bless you an yours!

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  2. Lovely AND inspiring post Jen! I was just on my own blog deciding how much to share...silly, wise, sad, introspective, retrospective???? and then I saw you had posted...Still don't know what I'm posting, but i DO know you have shared thoughts that I needed to hear. Thank you...
    My best wishes for a year full of wonderful things (including the challenges!)
    Mare

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  3. what an inspiring post. i love all of these quotes. i hope that i can bring some of the change i want to. i always have big plans for a new year. happy new year to you and yours!!

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  4. Wonderfully inspiring post!
    Looking forward to making 2012 all that it can be!
    Thanks for sharing your thoughts,
    Laura :)

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  5. I love the one that said..you don't have to do what everyone else is doing..I guess I am a bit of a rebel and love not following the crowd! Happy New Year to you. :D

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  6. Jen- Fantastic post! Exactly what I need to hear right now. I happen to be going through the one of my greatest fears right now- not a 'dream' kind of fear, but a 'please- God-never!' fear. I know I must go through it even though I never chose it. But I still have dreams, and lately I have felt more bold in those dreams than ever before because I figure no failure can be worst than what I'm dealing with now!
    Thanks for sharing from your heart. You are lovely!

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  7. Well said! Everything you said is the truth and SO inspiring!
    xo~Jill

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  8. Love this thoughtful post of yours. Inspiring me to get out of my comfort zone and try. Happy New Year!


    janet

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  9. Jen, this is the most inspiring post I have read this week about the upcoming year.

    I am wishing you and your family the most fabulous New Year. Sending hugs your way.
    Penny

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  10. I think I pinned every quote on this post. Thanks so much...I'm going to send a children's book I wrote into a publisher this year!

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  11. I am facing a fear. THe fear of not being able to money wise make it on my own. I have gotten too comfortable where I am at, an know I have to move on but the fear of failure is a powerful thing. God has putten some signs in my path saying I am going the right way - but still the fear is there. When I started this journey the end seemed so far away. But now I feel it just around the next bend. 2012 is going to be an awesome year - I can feel it. These 3666 days are going to be glorious.
    I have loved watching your make your journey to your dream. In seeing you - I know I can accomplish mine.

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  12. Jen- What a beautiful and postively uplifting post. I am so glad to have met you here and know that there are dreams that do come true. I am always blessed reading your post- Happy New Year to you- xo Diana

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  13. I love this post and your inspiration..thank you so much for sharing. Wishing you a wonderful New Year!

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  14. What an awesome post!!!
    I have big plans for this new year. To say I am excited for what is ahead, would be an understatement. :)
    It has been so much fun to see your dream of a cottage in the Village come true! Thanks for sharing with us. Have a wonderful New Years Eve Jen!

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  15. You are so right Jen. I am a big believer in dreams but without stepping out in faith and risking failure our dreams don't stand a chance of becoming our reality. Beautiful well thought post. Happy New Year! Patty

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  16. Love.This.Post. I feel like you are speaking right to me.

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  17. loved your post!! and the greatest thing about it is, that by sharing your life, your feelings & your aspirations, you are encouraging others to aspire, dream & to not only be unafraid to fail, but to embrass failure & learn.

    just read the comments on this post. you are doing some kind of good, not only for you & your family , but for your readers.

    can't wait to see what you do in 2012.

    nanne in columbus, indiana

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  18. Jen,
    Oh, I just love this post! I like how you think girl!
    We get an extra day this year? YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
    Happy New Year!
    xo, Cheryl

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  19. Wow, I so needed that pep talk - I'm writing a post at the moment about watching the world go by and not feeling part of the action. Maybe you have a new career ahead as a life coach?! I'd hire you :0)

    Happy New Year.

    B x

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  20. Great post Jen! Love the quotes and the kick in the butt. :)

    I'm not too sure what is going to happen - I am thinking of art school -eek! and also selling my house and travelling the world. And maybe both!

    Cheryl

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  21. WOW!! Love this post. I feel our stories are a bit similar. I took a leap of faith and left the old life behind ran head first for the cottage/home of my dreams New town, new friends, new memories. I felt that if I kept dreaming it and never pushed it aside it would come true. Well it worked and I have never loved my life more. Congrats on dreaming big.. I hope 2012 brings more womens dreams into reality...

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  22. I to am a dreamer, almost to a fault. I can dream up all these things I WANT to do/be/see, but I'm too afraid to do anything about it. But not this year... in 2012 I'm doing all those things I dream of! What an exciting year it will be!

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  23. Great post! Where did you find that darling calendar? Ü

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