* * * * * Sir Froggie's Pondering * * * * *

* * * * * Sir Froggie's Pondering * * * * *

DREAM BEYOND YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES

Where are you in life right now? As far as you thought you'd be? Further? Not as far as you hoped? Not even in the same direction? Why? What circumstances hold you back? Money? Time? Work? Family? Friends? Yourself? How big are your dreams? Do they fit into your current state of being? Do they go beyond where you're at? How far? How long will it take you to reach them? Do you only dream of "making it" according to what you can do right now?

Today, dare to dream beyond your circumstances. Most of us don't realize the numerous limits we place on our dreams. We're conditioned to think they must fit where we are right now. This couldn't be further from the truth. Dreams are meant to propel and pull us forward. And not necessarily just around the corner!

We set many boundaries on ourselves, thinking things like "I can't get that job or choose that as my career because I'd have to go to college for four, eight or maybe even twelve years. I can't afford that kind of education. I don't have the time to go to school all day - I have to work to make ends meet. I don't even have a nice suit to wear to an interview. What would my family think?" I'm willing to bet you've said or thought at least some of those things to yourself.

Conscious and unconscious limits are not exclusive to our excuses. They also cloud what we allow ourselves to dream! My sister is married with three children. A talented artist, she has not painted since the birth of her first child. To avoid sending her kids to a baby-sitter or daycare center, she waitressed at night while her husband worked during the day. They sacrificed a lot so their children would always have a parent present. But she was never happy. She worked long, hard hours without reward. When I suggested doing a home business, her first response was resistant. What did I know? I didn't have her bills to pay, I didn't have three kids to take care of. How could she work for herself? She didn't even own a computer - what could she possibly do?

She could not see beyond her current circumstances and would not allow herself to dream. After intimate prayer with God and a conversation with our mother who has overcome her own challenges, my sister decided to open an in-home daycare! It was a lot of work. She went through quite a process to get professional certification, among other things. She now has a "full house" making more money than waitressing. She spends quality time with her children and has a positive influence on other kids. Through activities with the children, her passion for art has expressed itself again and she's starting to paint. Not on canvases yet, but she's getting there. She's saving money from her daycare to buy a computer and go back to school in a few years so she can finish her degree in fine arts and get professional training as a graphic artist... Something she was too scared to even consider before looking beyond her circumstances.

We all have God-given talents. Notice "talents" is plural. These talents are gifts meant for us to cultivate and share with others. They are designed to inspire us to dream, reach for the stars, and see beyond our current situation. Our dreams help us grow, learn, and contribute our gifts. This is only possible when we find the courage to dream. Go on, dare to dream beyond your circumstances!

Discover more about Sir Froggie by visiting his PNN homepage at: http://www.sfpnn.com/sir_froggie.htm.

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"Even pond-scum has a purpose for sustaining life -
Think what human beings are capable of!"