It’s a good problem to have. Where do you go, what do you do after you’ve hit your target and reached or exceeded your dreams? The title of today’s post is actually a quote from the late 80′s movie, Broadcast News. Quite relevant, since my image today is the front page of the newspaper. Leave it to my filmmaker husband to have such quotes always at the ready. Here’s why it fits…

THE FRONT PAGE!
Today my contest winning image was on the front page of the Post. Never did I ever think that I would have one of my images published on the front page of a newspaper. I just didn’t even think it would happen. My real life exceeded my dreams today, and it’s not even the first time it’s happened. I can think of five specific times when my real life exceeded my dreams…

1. Having my image on the front page of the Post and having someone else tell me they saw it!
2. Appearing on 3 major media outlet shows, ABC News, NBC View from the Bay, and the Harvest Show.
3. Getting my first book, Real Women Scrap, published and selling out of the first print run within 3 months.
4. Marrying the man of my dreams in the same chapel I grew up in and used to pray and dream about my wedding day.
5. Meeting my husband after seven years as a single mom when I had nearly given up hope of ever being married.

FINDING COURAGE
Reading back over the list, I want to make sure it doesn’t sound like bragging, that’s not my intention at all. I still look at those events as almost entirely out of my control and truly the grace of God. The reason I frequently write, blog, and speak about courage and confidence and pursuing your passion is because for so long and even still I struggle with finding the courage to step out and really go for what I dream. But what I’m finding and always takes me by surprise are the results I see when I add just a little bit of faith, hope, and courage to the mix. I find that my real life exceeds my dreams, nearly every time.

I’m going to let today be another marker, a turning point, a stick in the sand, a monument… whatever you want to call it. It’s one more moment that gives my heart the message that going for your dreams is worth it. The effort and struggle are worth it. Believing  in the dream, even when you can’t see it, is worth it. Even if it doesn’t turn out the way you envision, often (at least for me) it’s 100 times better!

WHAT NEXT?
So what do you do when your real life exceeds your dreams? Dream bigger. Try harder. Reach deeper. Believe stronger. Move faster. And always remember that where you’re headed is even better than you could imagine.

Manual: Page 18—The Built in Flash

Images: Looked at the other contest winning images in the Post today.