Are You Living Your Dream?

Are you living your dream? Are you dreaming at all? Or are you simply dreaming to live, allowing life to go by while you try to keep up with it?

I had lunch with a friend last week, and as we talked he shared that he had built a bass guitar from scratch. No kit, not instructions. Just a hand-made creation that he brought to life from raw materials.

The more my friend described the process, the more animated he got. I quizzed him on time and material needs, on different finishing techniques, and on his ability to procure raw materials. The more he answered my questions, the more passionate he became.

I asked him, "If you could quit your job and build custom, hand-made bass guitars for a living, would you do it?" Absolutely, he replied.

Was it financially possible for him to do that? Not at the moment he said. Could you begin with this as a hobby that could evolve into a side business, that could eventually become a way to support his family. Perhaps, he conceded.

I encouraged him to press forward. Make another one. Show them off at trade shows, get a "player" to endorse him. Perhaps this could be an opportunity for my friend to live his dream.

Question: Are you living your dream, or are you dreaming to live? Share your thoughts below in responses.

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You Have Been Chosen

One of my favorite Bible Guys is Jeremiah. He did pretty cool stuff. He faced a lot of opposition but stayed strong. He showed incredible character. Even his name is cool. Say it out loud: Jeremiah.

One of the reasons I like him so much is found in the 1st chapter of his book in the Bible. It says that God told him, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

God had a plan for Jeremiah, even before he was born. He knew him, set him apart, and appointed him. He was chosen.

I believe that all of us are chosen. God know us, sets us apart, and appoints us. Some people chose their own way. Others fulfill their destiny.

You may think that some people are more chosen than others, looking at skills, talents, giftings, and opportunities. But if we believe that God is the great Creator, then He created all of us (you included) just like He wanted us to be.

So be what God has in mind for you to be. He knew you, He set you apart, and He appointed you. You were chosen!

Question: What are your thoughts about God choosing you? Share your thoughts below in responses.

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I Lost My Glasses

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This morning when I opened my backpack and took out my glasses case, it was empty. But I didn't panic.

I am a planner, a big picture visionary, and an adapter. One of my Clifton Strengthsfinder Themes is Strategic: ...creating alternative ways to proceed.

As a result, I have planned ahead and keep an extra pair of drugstore reading glasses in my desk just for situations like this.

Being strategic, I was able to quickly back-track my movements, and remembered the last time I had them on: swapping iPad app ideas with my host-for-the-week (I am a gypsy while in Maryland). I am sure I left them on his couch.

So no worries, all is good. I can see as I type this Blog post, I will make it through the day, and I will retrieve my glasses tonight.

But what happens as creatives when we "lose our glasses" and don't have a back-up plan? (No internet connection, floor monitor not on the correct side, slightly-off color paint, blue pen instead of black... you get the picture.)

Do we fuss, fret and become hard to be around. Or do we adapt and make the best of what we have?

Life is full of losing our glasses. In fact, most of go through every day and lose our glasses.

As for me, I am adapting to my contingent drugstore reading glasses. People in the office are asking me if when I started wearing glasses. The lenses are too strong and I am getting a headache. And they look really tacky. But, they work!

Question: How do you adapt when you "lose your glasses"? Share your thoughts below in responses.

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Creativity Amid Chaos

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Several weeks ago I posted Creativity Amid Distractions on this Blog. I know that we can usually find ourselves in a distracting environment.

Yesterday, I asked this question in a Twitter update: Can you be creative in the midst of chaos? Some of us are not simply being distracted, but we are in the midst of chaos: mothers taking care of multiple preschoolers, firefighters, families gathered in the emergency room, a person being released from their job.

Now you may be asking yourself, "Why would I want to be creative in the midst of chaos? I don't even know how to paint." I am not referring to artistic creativity, but rather to tapping into the creative capacity that all of us have been given.

Deep down inside each of us is an aptitude for creativity, to look at a situation and determine a better way of achieving a desired outcome.

Has your toddler climbed up into your baby's bed and fallen asleep? A couple of pillows on either side of a blanket on your bed may work in a pinch.

Downsized at your job? A kind word to your boss as you leave will go whole lot further on a recommendation letter than a word spoken in anger.

All of us are going to find ourselves in chaos. The question is will we continue to be creative?

Question: When you found yourself in a chaotic situation, how were you creative? Share your thoughts below in responses.

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