Dreaming

Lifestyle

by Lamar Tyler | on February 25th, 2009 | 23 comments

Allow me to give you an English grammar review about the present participle verb form. The present participle is a verb form that indicates an ongoing action or state in the present. It is always preceded by a verb form of “to be.” For example, the present participle of the verb “dream” is, “I am dreaming.”

I am not talking about a series of thoughts, emotions or images that occur during sleep. No, I am discussing the definition that states that to dream is to “consider something as a possibility.”
What are you considering to be a possibility for your future? If something is on your mind for consideration, rest assured that those thoughts are germinating and will form your future.
In these difficult economical times, it’s important to consider as a possibility giving a “cease and desist” order towards paying to go to work. Think about it: after paying day care (if you have children), getting gas (thank God we’re not in the predicament we were in a few months ago when gas was upwards of $5-6/gallon), then having to do something that puts food on the table, but you have no passion for…there’s got to be a better way!

What about considering as a possibility being who you always wanted to be? If you want to be a millionaire, does your mindset and corresponding action match that desire? If you want to be an author, are you writing on a daily basis? What about that witty invention in the back of your mind that no one else knows about but you? Have you made plans to patent it and get it into the marketplace?

Someone once told me that the quickest point between a dream and reality is a goal. I am challenging myself this year to not only dream, but allow my dreams to shape my reality.
Then I will be able to use both the present and past participle simultaneously by saying, “I am becoming everything I have dreamed of.”

God bless!

~ Harriet

Harriet is a hilariously joyful married woman who resides in northeast Louisiana with her husband who is a restaurant manager. She works for a local University and along with her husband is the proud parent of a 3 year old son and a 10 year old stepson (who lives in NC).

About the author

Lamar and Ronnie Tyler are the creators of the award-winning blog BlackandMarriedWithKids.com . They also are behind the Amazon.com bestselling DVDs Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage, You Saved Me and Men Ain’t Boys that explores manhood in the African American community. The Tylers are also the proud parents of four children.

http://www.lovetospare.com Michael

Another great post, Harriet!

It took me all the way back to grade school. Not just because of the grammar lesson, but because of a memory I have sitting in my high school counselor’s office. There was a poster on the wall with a kitten and a message that read:

If I wasn’t so busy doing small things, I would be off doing big things.

That message made an impression on me. Even so, most of my life has been busy doing small things. Why? Because dreaming is easy, but going after your dreams takes courage – something that I’ve only just acquired in ample amounts.

Now, (as you pointed out) it’s all about being who I’ve always wanted to be. Once you take the leap, it’s easier to keep going than it is to stop.

Thanks again, Harriet!

Michaels last blog post..Six Qualities Of A Good Blog Post
Harriet

Hey, Michael!

Man, I just ordered a book by John C. Maxwell called “Put Your Dreams to the Test.” I’m excited about receiving it, because all the questions the description discussed are questions I’ve been asking myself for the past two years. It’s time to make it happen!

Here’s a brief synopsis of the book if you’re interested:

“What’s the difference between a dreamer and someone who achieves a dream? According to best-selling author Dr. John Maxwell, the answer lies in answering ten powerful, yet straightforward, questions. Whether you’ve lost sight of an old dream or you are searching for a new one within you, Put Your Dream to the Test provides a step-by-step action plan that you can start using today to see, own, and reach your dream. Dr. Maxwell draws on his forty years of mentoring experience to expertly guide you through the ten questions required of every successful dreamer:

The Ownership Question
The Clarity Question
The Reality Question
The Passion Question
The Pathway Question
The People Question
The Cost Question
The Tenacity Question
The Fulfillment Question
The Significance Question
More importantly, Dr. Maxwell helps you to create the right answers, giving you principles and tips to so you can make good decisions and maximize every moment to achieve your dream.

Don’t leave your dream to chance. This book is a must-have and can make the difference between failure and success.

This book is not yet published. Orders will ship in early March.”

Today is the last day for the discounted price, so go check it out at https://www.giantimpact.com/store/products/The-Dreams-Bundle.html
Harriet

@ Michael,

You see the way I plugged another man’s book? I need to be plugging my own book like that! More to follow (once I get my official copyright completed).
http://www.lovetospare.com Michael

My birthday is in March. I know what book I’m putting on my wish list.

And Harriet, I didn’t know you wrote a book. What’s it about? (psssst, here’s your perfect opportunity to start plugging your own book)

Michaels last blog post..Six Qualities Of A Good Blog Post
Harriet

Michael,

I’m actually halfway through my second book! The words are flowing, and I’m just riding the wave.

But the book that I am seeking to be published is entitled, “Who Are You?”

It discusses the viewpoint we have of ourselves vs. the image and likeness of God we were created in. It’s broken down into five parts:

“I the Beginning” talks about the Uncaused Cause (God) of our personalities and the identity He set aside for us. He created us to be victorious, creative, loving and humble, and I discuss the simplicity of following the blueprint He set aside for us.

“Formless and Void” delves into the mistakes we make as individuals trying to figure life out. We look for love in all the wrong places, we seek to become who we were never created: a carbon copy of someone else. We find ourselves stuck in the quicksand of comfort zones, security and good job benefits instead of taking the risk to become all God created us to be.

“Let There Be…” which discusses God’s original plan for our lives that He had in store before He ever uttered “Let there be light.” The “In the Beginning” section discusses God’s thoughts towards us. This section discusses our thoughts towards God.

“Authority and Dominion” seeks to empower and impart boldness into the readers. We really CAN be everything God said we could be. It provides a balanced discussion about reaching for our dreams while at the same time understanding the strategies of the enemy and how he will go out of his way to stop them from coming to fruition. It gives the reader tools to overcome self doubt and become totally committed to being who they were created to be.

Finally, “Be Fruitful and Multiply” outlines how to take all the prior tools given and apply it to real life.

I’m really excited about it. It didn’t come out of a desire to show off any kind of talent, but it was my catharsis as I was discarding the remnant of the defeated, discouraged woman I had become and grabbed hold of the woman God created me to be.
http://www.lovetospare.com Michael

Sounds wonderful, Harriet! I’m especially interested in the section on Authority and Dominion.

When and where can I pick up a copy? Have you considered e-books?

(Disclaimer: I don’t really know anything about e-books just seems like something to ask)

Michaels last blog post..Six Qualities Of A Good Blog Post
Regina

Harriet, your book sounds great, I hope you get it published soon.

Yesterday being Ash Wednesday, I’ve been doing some thinking about renewal and rededication. What did I decide on for a Lenten resolution? I made a commitment to FAIL.

Sounds crazy? But for me, what holds me back is an unwillingness to take risks. My comfort zone is just way too small. I need to be willing to do things I don’t already know how to do, look like an idiot, reveal my ignorance and ineptitude, and FAIL, if I’m ever going to grow. If I don’t fail, I’m not stretching far enough. I need to stop sticking to what I’m already good at, or it’s all I will ever be good at. And in my dream, I’m better than that.

Blessings to you and all the blog-lurkers….
Regina

Michael, I just clicked to your blog and read your “about” section. Courage, indeed! You go, man!
Veronica Fields Johnson

Greetings Harriet,

Thank you for writing about this subject. It took me several years to believe that I could achieve my dream of becoming a novelist. I’m not quite there yet, but I’ve been pushing forward, learning as much about the craft of writing as I can, in the midst of life (marriage, babies, jobs, elderly grandparents, etc.) happening around me.
Harriet

@ Michael,

I’m waiting on my copyright certificate prior to putting it out there in any shape or form. What I described here is the most I’ve described in ANY forum, because the book came directly out of my prayer closet, and I want to make sure God gets the glory. I don’t want to place myself at risk of someone taking what He gave me and using it to steal His glory (if that makes any sense).

But yes, I have considered e-books. That thought is in its genesis stage right now, but I’m thinking that the exposure from that will eventually lead to more exposure for printing.

@ Regina,

I’m on my John C. Maxwell kick, and he has a book out there called “Failing Forward” that would probably interest you based on your commentary.

I also want to leave you with a couple of quotes. One from the Bible (of course) and one from Theodore Roosevelt. These two quotes have always pushed me to be willing to make a fool out of myself to make the impossible possible. They have also shown me that there is more risk (possibility of loss or injury) in NOT diving into the unknown than in hazarding the risk that the clouds you think your head are in won’t catch you.

Anyway, some rogue group kidnapped all of David’s family and took all his stuff. His men were talking about stoning him and David didn’t know WHAT to do. He prayed and then heard the Lord tell him this:

“Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”

That’s a guarantee of success regardless of the risk he was taking in being outnumbered and outgunned.

Then, Theodore Roosevelt co-signed with the Lord in saying, “Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.”

Go ahead and fail, girl! Fail straight to the top!
Anonymous

Harriet, yes! And another Roosevelt, Eleanor, said “Do one thing every day that scares you.” I’ll look up John C. Maxwell.
Harriet

@ Veronica,

I’m with you, sis! Get yourself a good phone where you can leave notes for yourself to follow up on thoughts you are given during the day. You would be amazed at what can speak to you during the day, from a baby learning her shapes to a crazy billboard you see on your way to work or running an errand.

I’m not sure if I’ll get the spelling right, but there’s a latin medical term about the way a baby is formed in a mother’s womb called “proximo-disto-insephelacada” or something like that. Basically it means a baby is formed “Upside Down, Inside Out.”

Just by you making yourself available to intimacy with this dream, you have become impregnated with a reality for yourself that may take time. It will form upside down and inside out, but it will form nonetheless. The thing about God given dreams is that God is actually pro-choice. He WANTS you to make it to the labor and delivery room for its birth, and although it will grieve Him if you don’t, the choice is still yours as to whether or not you will abort the plans and dreams He set aside specifically for YOU.

When you’re pregnant, your diet changes. The people you hang around changes. Your sleeping pattern changes. You have to put your clothes on differently. You don’t sleep as well towards the end. You get uncomfortable and antsy. You start cleaning stuff out and cleaning stuff up to prepare for the baby. It can be a miserable period, but for the joy that is set before you when you push out that baby, you would go through it all over again (I know I would).

So for you, my sister, congratulations are in order. It’s time to start buying your bubble gum cigars, because in a matter of time, that baby is going to burst forth!
Sasha

Your book sounds amazing Harriet, I can’t wait to read it.

And while we’re plugging things, you guys go and check out an amazing blog called

LOVE TO SPARE, written by none other than Michael and his amazing wife. You can find it at:
http://www.lovetospare.com.

It is incredible…go and check it out!!!
Harriet

@ Sasha,

I agree. Michael and Acooba’s blog is literally breathtaking!

AND…

I appreciate you still wanting to read my book even though I give my son spankings. ROFL!!!!!

God bless!
Sasha

@ Harriet: Of course I would still read your book! I’m sure everything I do in my life wouldn’t agree with you, either! I think you are an amazing, incredible woman…I love the way you love the Lord and love your community.

Keep fighting the good fight
Jonesi

Yep Harriet needs a talk show or something…you really do have a beautiful spirit
Harriet

I really don’t know what happened to the comment I just posted to Jonesi and Sasha, but I’m going to attempt to recreate it.

I said that the two of you all are so sweet. The grace of God amazes me, because I remember what people USED to say. I still have the same personality, only now the Lord has sole proprietorship. I don’t allow other people that mean me no good to use me.

Anyway, I am humbled, I appreciate your words, and my cup runs over…

…and over;

…and over.

God bless y’all!
http://www.lovetospare.com Michael

@Regina
Your encouragement means a lot to me. Thanks!

@Harriet
I think what you said makes perfect sense. Thank God for this blog, this post and for your beautiful spirit! Please keep us updated on the release of your book.

@Sasha
Wow, thanks for the plug! I’m honored (and also a little bit embarrassed).

Michaels last blog post..Lanes Merge Ahead
Butterfly

I’, glad I checked my inbox. When you got up in church that really inspired me but now that I have read this post I know this is GOD. I’m am now paying for my invention to be patented. Girl the dream when you prophesied about me in 80′s I always wanted to become a singer. It’s on now. I agree with a ole girl up top you need a talk show.
Harriet

guess what, everybody? I GOT A PUBLISHING DEAL!!!

hallelujah and praise God!!!!

i won’t be writing here for a month or two because i have a lot of work to do, but i’ll keep u posted!
http://www.lovetospare.com Michael

Congratulations Harriet!

But we’re going to miss you.

Michaels last blog post..Brace for Impact!
Harriet

i’ll only be gone for about two months. i’ll still be commenting, though.
http://reginaterrae.blogspot.com/ Regina

Yay!

Dreaming

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