Our small town schools participate in an annual library event: One community, One book. The kids can read the same book, then enter contests for a drawing, an essay, or a video trailer. This year, the book was THE HOBBIT.
My 13-year-old son read the book, and dreamed of winning all three cash prizes, a total of $300. To myself, I wondered why he'd bother with all three. Why not focus on one contest? How would he handle the inevitable disappointment?
Each day after homework, he worked hard on his drawing, essay, and video trailer. He followed each of the requirements, and turned in his entries with pride. Wouldn't you know it, that boy won two out of three contests--essay and video trailer. Imagine his excitement and satisfaction when he picked up his cash prizes, saw his winning essay displayed on the wall, and had his video played at the award ceremony.
He reinforced a valuable lesson: dream big and go for it.
One of my annoying habits is to think small, and in some cases, dream small. After all, big dreams are reserved for other, more deserving or talented people.
This dream to write for publication is a big one for me. At times, I've wondered if it's too big because heck, I'm an ordinary mother of three. But then I've thought about all the writers of our favorite books. They were also ordinary people, who dared to dream big.
When I start to dream small, what snaps me out of it? My kids. What do I want to teach them? To dream small, and set the bar low? Or do I lead by example and teach them to dream big?
On this journey of mine, I've realized I have a captive audience. Each time I'm disappointed by a rejection, a challenge, or a U-turn, three sets of eyes are watching how I handle it. Do I thrown in the towel? Do I rant and rave and blame everyone and everything else? Or do I pick myself up and move forward?
When we dare to dream big, we're bestowing confidence in ourselves. We're also acknowledging that there will be bumps along the way, which will tempt us to set those dreams aside. Our job is to believe, do our best work, and follow through. Otherwise we'll never know what surprises wait for us on the other side.
Do you tend to dream small, or do you dare to dream big? If you have kids, do they remind you that you have an audience, who watches how you handle disappointments?
photo credit
Wonderful post, so pleased for your son, may he continued to have such confidence throughout life.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carole! Thankfully our kids teach me something new all the time.
DeleteWhat gusto your son had! That is an awesome example. It's great to see kids believe in themselves. Self-confidence is a dying ingredient in today's society. Most are too busy comparing themselves to everyone else. Individuals are cool!
ReplyDeleteSo true, Sheri. He is so darn confident. I could learn a thing or two from him :)
DeleteHaha, I always dream big an am invariably disappointed and yet, I keep going back to the big dream. I know there's a name for people like me.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your son!
Marcy, I tell ya, sometimes I feel like the dumb bird that keeps kitting the darn window. *sigh*
DeleteI actually wish I dreamed smaller! But maybe if I keep dreaming big one day it will happen! Congrats to your son & good luck!
ReplyDeleteBeth, you're reaching your dreams one success at a time :)
DeleteCongrats to your son, Julie. I agree that we need to stay inspired to dream big. Thanks for helping us stay dreaming today.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Natalie! He inspired me :)
DeleteCongratulations to your son!! He's rich.
ReplyDeleteKids are like bumblebees - they don't believe they can't. Maybe we can learn something from that attitude.
Alex, "I can't" never even entered his 13 yo brain! And he is indeed rich--$200 is big bucks for a kid.
DeleteGreat post! Congratulations to your son. Well done! I always need to remember to "dream big." :)
ReplyDeleteLove this Julie! Thanks for sharing your son's amazing belief in himself. As we get older, we tend to let our past disappointments limit what we reach for. Here's to dreaming big!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, thanks for sharing. I always dream big, probably a little too big and have to pull myself out of the clouds at times.
ReplyDeleteGosh, Julie... I LOVE this... absolutely. Why not dream big? It *is* possible. We were all "ordinary" at one point, right? So we've just got to go for it!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. And yaaaay for your lovely boy!
I tend to go for big, but deep down I worry I'll make do with small. It's something I'm trying to "train" myself to get out of the habit of doing. I think if we limit ourselves, we hold ourselves back from what we really aspire to. Kudos to your son!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your son! I love how he dreams big. My hub does, too. Sometimes I do, but I think I'm a bit hamstrung by an earlier generation's mentality that big dreaming is what men do. I really work on undoing this!
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter, Julie, to you and your family!
I say Dream Big! My four-year-old granddaughter said, "A dream is a wish your heart makes." My heart is over active.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Julie! I say Dream Big, too! I always love the quote: "Fail better" and it's implication that finally you succeed. I love it, too, that your "three pairs of eyes" keep you motivated. Good luck with your novel.
ReplyDeleteBTW: I've started a new blog on the Victorian Era. If you have time, check it out: http://victorianscribbles.blogspot.com/
You're amazing. And congrats to (which child?) LOL I love what you say here, and it's so true. Now I have three sets of eyes on me too. ;D
ReplyDeleteGreat post--and congrats to your son! Yes, dream big! I agree!
ReplyDeleteOh I love stories like that!!! kids getting rewarded for determined effort and especially the dreaming big part.
ReplyDeletePointing out that your kids keep you dreaming big - I never thought of it that way (sometimes my big dreams seem utterly selfish)
And oh I have to say I couldn't help but notice the wet shirt Darcy picture on the next post too. Grin.
Whoo Hoo! Hooray for stick-to-it-ive-ness and winning prizes. I gave up on certain dreams far too early in life, so I've always told my kids the sky is the limit and I'm here to help, cheer, cajole - whatever they need to never give up.
ReplyDelete