Your Dream is Not Your Hobby

Your Dream is Not Your Hobby {Awesome Guest Post by Dana}

34 Comments 13 July 2012

I’m happy to have Dana Pittman here at Live Uncaged. In this post she talks about daring to dust off a dream. It’s a great reminder to all of us. Dana describes herself as a Spiritual Midwife…helping women give birth to their purpose. She’s a writer, speaker and Bible teacher, writing her next novel. She blogs here. Hang out with her on Facebook. And follow her twitter life here.

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I have a dream tucked down deep inside of me. I’ve let her out, a time or two. But for the most part she stays hidden where I keep her safe.

I protect her from naysayers and negative comments. I shield her from criticism and unfortunately I hid her from myself.

My attempts to protect her meant I lost sight of her. Her likes, dislikes. Her goals. Her passion. I lost sight of the very part of myself that made me uniquely me.

How, oh how, did I let this happen?

Life.

Too many “no’s” tossed my way. They landed on my heart and decided to ride shotgun with my dream. She fought it initially, however, my shaky courage refused to make them leave.

So, they stayed. They chipped at her, slowly but surely, until I can’t feel her like I once did. But I want her back.

In her absence, I feel this icky void and I don’t like it. She made me laugh and wish. She helped me remember all the plans I made while laying on my back starring at fluffy clouds in the sky.

Yeah, I miss her. And it’s time to win her back.

Here’s my plan:

1. Pray. I believe God planted my dream but I blame her less than stellar appearance on myself. I tried to do things my way, which did not fair too well. This time I will seek God. I will ask for understanding, discernment and for Him to order my steps.

2. Write the plan. “Write down the revelation and make it plain…” (Habakkuk 2:2). I won’t require every single detail to move forward; however the plan is the roadmap. It will help me keep my vision clear and visible as I endure the coming months of moving from my comfort zone.

3. Action. I have to actively pursue my dream. I love the quote, “Action conquers fear.” Action is a positive force to counteract any negatively that may threaten to derail my progress.

4. Prioritize. I will prioritize my dream with all of the other important details of my life. My dream is not a hobby. That was my initial mistake. I fit her in here and there until she was permanently shelved.

Question: What steps do you take to realize your dreams?

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http://denisejhughes.com/ Denise J. Hughes

Dana, I love this! Especially having prayer as #1. Gosh, how many times have I rushed ahead with some “great idea” only to fizzle out later? And it’s usually because I tried to “accomplish” something in my strength instead of relying on His strength. Prayer. Always prayer.

Thanks, Mary, for sharing Dana’s words here!
Diane McElwain

Dana, thanks so much for your post. I loose sight of my dream all the time. For years I was fearful, then I had children and 6 kept me so busy I said I couldn’t/wouldn’t take time for myself. It was if I had “no right” to it. My heart aches as I am turning 60 this year. I wonder if I will keep waiting forever. I just get started and someone or something comes and plows it over. Build a platform for writing??? I just want people to get out of my face and give me the alone time! Thanks for your thoughts, they are so encouraging.
http://keepasharpeye-diane.blogspot.com/
- http://www.danapittman.com/ Dana Pittman
  
  I don’t think it’s ever too late and as we make time for the things that make us truly happy…complete…I believe we have more to offer others. Good luck to you.
http://twitter.com/sarahfarish Sarah Farish

Thanks so much for this post! Perfect timing for me.
- http://www.danapittman.com/ Dana Pittman
  
  You’re welcome.
LeeBird

Dana! Thanks for this post, and thanks, Mary, for posting it. My dream hasn’t had time to get dusty as it was only born about five years ago. My brother’s death turned the soil in my heart like a gigantic front-end loader. My dream to write grew out of the rubble. Your post challenges me to keep writing no matter how many rejections I receive. Thanks so much, and I look forward to seeing you at She Speaks!
- http://www.danapittman.com/ Dana Pittman
  
  What a way to use a personal difficulty. Same to you. (I’m adding you to my chart…I’m such a nerd. I’ve listed all the people I’d like to meet in person.)
http://www.facebook.com/ballpublications Wanda L Ball

Wow Dana this is awesome! I love how to speak as though you are outside looking in… I too have felt most of these feelings – as I too am a work in progress! Thanks for the reminder that God is always in control and my dream is a reality, not a hobby! Blessings
- http://www.danapittman.com/ Dana Pittman
  
  Thanks. Blessings to you too.
alwaysalleluia

I am so thankful for this post. it is aptly timed!!
- http://www.danapittman.com/ Dana Pittman
  
  I’m so glad.
http://thegirlinthemiddle.wordpress.com/ Molly_Mac

I am realizing that I have forgotten my dreams and (like this post says) my hobby is not my dream. I just realized earlier this week that the girl who dreamed has been locked up in a tall tower somewhere and her voice is getting louder by the day.

This post was perfect timing and Dana’s description of her dream is how I feel about who I affectionately call the “girl on the left”

Thanks Dana.
Thanks Mary!
- http://www.danapittman.com/ Dana Pittman
  
  Let her out! And Molly, she will get louder or stop all together. We don’t want either. Let her have her say and see where you can go from there. Have fun.
http://patalexander.com Pat Alexander

Great Post. So much of this applies to both our big life dreams and those smaller dreams we have about life’s pleasures. I stopped playing the violin when I was 17. I moved on to achieve a number of my life’s dreams but have always missed the violin.

About 10 years ago I made a New Year’s resolution to buy a violin and take lessons to get back in the groove. Well there was no plan and as we all know, life is busy so it didn’t happen. As my 65th birthday approached my husband asked what I wanted as a special present to marke this milestone. I told him I didn’t know and would think on it. At our granddaughter’s high school graduation the orchestra was playing. I turned around and looked at him and said “I want a violin for my birthday.” He said that would be great, but in order to agree he needed to know when and where I was planning on taking lessons. He knew I needed to make it part of the schedule or it would never happen.
Once I had that figured out he took me to buy the violin. I am about 2 months into lessons and this may be one of the hardest challenges I have taken on. Re-learning can be frustrating and I expect a lot of myself each lesson and in between. But when I am practicing I am in heaven.

You need a plan no matter what the dream.
- http://www.danapittman.com/ Dana Pittman
  
  Pat, thank you for sharing this. Whether they are big or small it usually takes the same effort. We are still exposing ourselves to failure, disappointment, defeat. Yet you are also exposing yourself to success.
  
  You, my dear, are also exposing your children and grandchildren to joy of connecting to things that make life special. Good luck to you.
http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

Dana, this is a great post. I’m humbled to have you here. I especially resonated with writing down your dream. I’ve started doing that, and it’s been so fun watching God fulfilling them in His timing.
- http://www.danapittman.com/ Dana Pittman
  
  Mary thank you again for the opportunity. You challenge me as a writer and it’s hard. But I’m not scared of a hard work. As for capturing your heart…and the vision. I’ve learned the vision is never as clear as when it first hits you. You can try to recreate but it never seems to measure up.
  
  It also keeps you honest. It’s easy to talk yourself out of something if the road seems to bumpy. Your roadmap will keep you focused and honest with yourself.
  
  I’m cheering for you. You’re keeping on my toes and full of hope.
http://twitter.com/thesavvywahm Kendra Tillman

Dana, I’ve already done my first steps towards my dream. I’m attending the She Speaks conference next week with you and 650+ amazingly courageous women. Women like me who are willing to believe God is the Giver of the dream to change the world through writing and speaking His answer. I’ll make sure to find you during the conference.
- http://www.danapittman.com/ Dana Pittman
  
  I believe wholeheartedly that God matches our efforts. If we take a step, He will too.
  
  Please find me. I’ll be the one running around hugging everyone like I’m at a family reunion.
- http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth
  
  You will LOVE the She Speaks conference! Wish I was going this year so I could connect with you and Dana.
Brynn

Oh, this is so like Jesus to wend this post my way this morning. Life circumstances are pulling hard at my dream – the passion that Jesus has planted in my heart. There are others around me that do view my dream as a hobby. Sometimes I begin to see it through their eyes. It just hit me…this isn’t just “my” dream…it’s Jesus’ dream *for* me. Thank you Dana and Mary!
- http://www.danapittman.com/ Dana Pittman
  
  You’re welcome. Remember it and let it serve as a focal point as you weather the road ahead. God bless.
- http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth
  
  Brynn, what a blessing that Dana’s words were just what you needed.
http://inhisloveministries.blogspot.com/ Pilar Arsenec

As always sis, you seem to always write about what I’m going through. It is like we have lived parallel lives. I was always a big dreamer since I was a child, but also had so many negative voices and naysayers in my life. At some point, I just gave up. It was too much of a heavy load dealing with all the negativity and rejection. But in the last few months, the Holy Spirit has been nudging me to break through my fears, these voices and pursue my dreams. I am so grateful to be on this journey with you.
- http://www.danapittman.com/ Dana Pittman
  
  Sis, I’m lucky to walk along with you. Stay sensitive to His nudging and enjoy the journey.
http://twitter.com/citherrien Cheryl Therrien

This really hits home with me. I let my dream be hidden for far too many years and now I am working on giving it life. God does not make mistakes. People do.
- http://www.danapittman.com/ Dana Pittman
  
  Cheryl, I wish you well. Don’t be too hard on yourself. I would suggest checking out more of the posts here on Mary’s blog too. She’s making a wonderful transition. Transitions are merely new beginnings.
http://ayearinthespirituallife.blogspot.com/ Dayna Renee Hackett Bickham

I have done this. I had a dream and thought I wasn’t good enough. Not anymore. God made me for the dream He gave me. I have a purpose and my dream is wrapped up in that purpose. So wrapped up that they may be one and the same. I will not run from it. I will not shelve it. I will embrace it. I will nurture my dream. I will grow my dream. I will race toward my dream as I run toward my Father God. Thank you Dana for writing this. I love it!
- http://www.danapittman.com/ Dana Pittman
  
  You’re welcome. I love this…”God made me for the dream He gave me.” Go for it. And remember…I got shotgun!
- http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth
  
  You go, girl!
http://www.heidikreider.com/ Heidi Kreider

Beautiful post, Dana! Perhaps, I find it most beautiful… because, like Linda, this truly was a cool glass of water to this parched heart who finds it so very difficult to let the dream out to live. Thanks for sharing part of your journey!
- http://www.danapittman.com/ Dana Pittman
  
  Thank you Heidi. I believe we love them so much that the slightest potential for heartbreak is too much to bare. But we have to be bold trusting God’s words do not return unto Him void. Praise God!
  
  Thank you for your support.
Linda from CT

Hi Mary. soooo beautiful. I wrote a long comment and not sure where it went.Maybe it went to Dana’s page. I just wanted to tell you how much I love and appreciate you and your tenderness and your honesty.
It is truly like a cool glass of water, especially in the dry times.
May the Lord continue to download His kindness, gentleness and compassion into you.
I somehow think the scope of the people, that you affect in a positive way, is hidden from you. Someday…you will see and you will know just how such lives have been blessed because of you.
Have a wonderful day and may your weekend be filled with Holy Surpries!
Linda
- http://www.danapittman.com/ Dana Pittman
  
  Linda,
  
  Thank you sister for your kind words. I responded to your comment on my blog and here as well. I’m sending a virtual hug especially for you. )
  
  Enjoy your weekend and thank you for commenting both here and on my blog.
  
  You’re appreciated!

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