Wednesday, March 23, 2011

My Dreams Have Wings

"Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see the beauty, believe in them and try to follow where they lead." -Louisa May Alcott



When Stephey from Marked by the Muse first created the Courage to Fly blog hop, I was immediately inspired by one of the questions that she posed. This particular question fit the landscape of my life in the last year to an absolute T!OK, here is the question/s she posed:

Have you ever had anyone push you "out of your comfort zone" and in so doing freaked you out or made you resist in anyway? BUT! After that push, once the fear was breached, were grateful towards? Looking back, why did you resist? And to whom are you grateful for that - push?

A couple of years ago, I met my boyfriend (who I hope will become my husband in the coming years). When we first started dating, I didn't tell him that I liked to sew and craft... I mean I told him that I dabbled in painting but I was almost embarrassed to tell him that I was interested in something that seemed not artistic but more so something an old woman would do... I didn't want to tell him because I was afraid he would think it was stupid; what I found out was that this was my own insecurity.

After seeing him for awhile, we started talking about what our dreams of all dreams were. I told him I had always dreamed of being a Fashion Designer and he a Game Designer... I mean, before telling him, I really didn't tell anyone what my interests were except for my roommate... She did see me doing it afterall, my crafty stuff that is. Anyhoo... yeah so my boyfriend listened to me talk about all the things that I liked to do and not only thought it was cool but pushed me to take it further.

He told me that I should start blogging about it and to really hunker down and invest in what was an underdeveloped hobby and could be more in the future. So that's what I did. In the very beginning, it was just the man who read my blog. I didn't want to share with friends or even family what I was doing because I mean, I was still embarrassed and sort of scared of what people would think.

But as the months went on, my man kept on encouraging me, encouraging me to share my projects, get out there and throw myself into the creative community, which I did. He bought me a new sewing machine and dress form but more importantly he listened to my ideas even though sometimes they seem really stupid to me. He reads every blog post that I write. He even created a nook for me in our master bedroom so that I have my own space to create. He told me that others would think what I was doing was cool too, if I just gave them the chance to see it. He was right. To make a long story sort of shortish, this guy is my biggest fan.

I have been blogging now for almost a year now. In that year, I have put myself out there on Twitter and Facebook, the blogging world, asking people to be my friend, showing them what I do and learning what I can, here and there. I have made friends, I have gotten a small following. I have a voice. It is my hope to make it to The Creative Connection Event this year, which this time last year wasn't even on my radar. The possibilities are endless when you actually have someone who believes in you and makes you believe in yourself. My man helped me to give my dreams wings and I am lucky to have him.

Anyhoo, I thought I would share in my inspiration because you never know when someone else can give you that push...off the branch... and you'll quickly learn to fly.



Also, do yourself a favor and check out my partner in posting crime today, Brandi from Brandigirlblog!

34 comments:

  1. your story reminds me of a little post I wrote on my blog ... about how we (people) will pat more than once to encourage our dogs but we (people) expect our friends and family to be encourage with just one pat ... your boyfriend encourage you with more than word ... he added action and invested in the yoU ... Thank yoU for sharing ... blaze ON ...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh and the quote you selected is most awesome as well ... I can not stop thinking about this awesome post ... just had to stop back bye to let you know ...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great post! I love how is encouragement is so concrete (making a nook, listening, reading). And I love that you've spread your wings to fly!

    ReplyDelete
  4. So, so lovely. Thank you for sharing! It is so rare to hear such positive, awesome stories about our partners! <3

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh, this is a beautiful message! I am so encouraged by my significant other — it's so important! It sounds like you have a wonderful man :) And congrats on getting out there! I have just started getting out there myself over the last year, and it takes a lot of courage.

    -Kristen

    ReplyDelete
  6. What an encouraging journey. Thank you for sharing :) I, too, am glad that you have found your voice and are moving forward with your passion. You are one talented gal!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What an encouraging story - thank you for sharing :) I, too, am glad you have found your voice, you are one talented gal!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I LOVE how supportive your guy is! I love that he's pushing you to take a chance on your dreams. This is so inspiring - I don't think people really understand how badly artists need to hear that they can!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. what an awesome story you have now. isn't it amazing to have someone support our dreams. a while back i was thinking about getting a job to make money and my husband persuaded me to pursue my art instead. i am so happy that i did!!! you go girl.

    ReplyDelete
  10. You are so right! It is amazing what can happen when someone believes in us - especially ourselves. I found believing in myself to be the biggest challenge to overcome. so strange that it was me all along holding myself back. when realizing this, i wondered why, i'd do such a thing. a little encouragement from those who I hold close truly helps to push of that branch and fly. Thank you for sharing this wisdom and insight!

    All my best, stephey

    This is my new favorite quote!: "The possibilities are endless when you actually have someone who believes in you and makes you believe in yourself."

    ReplyDelete
  11. So sweet! It's so nice to have someone in your corner to push you to be your best. Your guy is awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  12. this is beautiful.. such a great post.. and u are right.. when ppl believe in you and voice to you that they believe in you.. you suddenly become braver and more courageous.... here here! hugs xo

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a sweet, wonderful story. My husband has also been my biggest supporter and encourager, so I can really appreciate what this means to you. And LOVE the quote you opened with!

    Keep plugging along and putting yourself out there! Great things will happen for you if you do.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hey sistah! I am so happy your man pushed you and gave you the wings to fly! You are an amazing encouraging spirit to me and so many others in this creative community. I cannot even imagine my journey without your encouragement and it's crazy to think only a year ago you weren't confident in yourself. Kudos to your wonderful man ... he is one smart cookie believing in you, you are so very worth believing in, fly high! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  15. It wonderful for someone to believe in & encourage you...and you believing in you!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. good for you! i have been on much the same journey this past year, and it has truly changed my life. keep pursuing your dreams, it is so wonderful that you have such fabulous support from the man you love.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Amanda - I'm writing about exactly the same topic, and how funny that my boyfriend also dabbles in Game Design!!

    We're lucky to have such enabling souls by our sides, who encourage us to follow our passions.

    I truly enjoyed your post :) xo

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks everyone for the kind thoughts and words of encouragement. The man did read this post just like every other! I think this one made him blush with all the compliments and attention he got ;-) Can't wait to keep reading all the great posts in this blog hop!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wow, what a man! How wonderful that he encourages you to follow your dreams. Lucky you :)

    What a beautiful story.

    Keep on!

    Tricia x

    ReplyDelete
  20. big smile.....love this story. love your guy!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Woohoo for fabulous men! I've got one of them, too, and it makes the world of difference. Having someone who supports you 100% makes going out on a limb that little bit easier :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Sweet share. It sounds like you have a partner who is very supportive of your "old lady craftiness" - perfect. :) ~ Laura

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a great story. You have found yourself a wonderful man. I'm lucky to have a supportive husband and it's amazing to have that kind of support. Best wishes for you in your future. I'm sure the future has great things in store.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Great post! I love that, he is your biggest fan.. It's amazing what can open up when we open up to our dreams and creativity.. it opens things that are seemingly not connected at all! It's great to have someone believe in us and to keep us accountable in a supportive and gentle way!
    Here is to your dreams!

    ReplyDelete
  25. it's so fantastic to read this post. it's wonderful that you have such an awesome 'cheer squad' in your boyfriend. thank you so much for sharing this and sharing your creativity with the world.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Way to go! :) Sometimes we need someone to make that (a little) push, don't you think? And it's so great if we have a support from the others. I'm very thankful for my 'fans' too. Thank you for this lovely post.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Give them a second market and they will explode no credit check loans instant decision must be loan can readily contain many concealed expenses for instance interestcommitments
    at the same time as finance expenses, plenty of people often avoid first of all till it could
    be essential.

    ReplyDelete
  28. You just must fill an online form with no collateral for the loan Faxless Payday loan the lower the
    financing score is, the higher the rate of interest becomes.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Once small amounts are combined over the period and schedule
    of repayment, the total amount paid towards the consolidators becomes quite high and unreasonable Housing Loan calculator buying a brand name-new
    automobile or home more regularly these days
    needs some sort of financial loan through the bank,
    whether it really is a monetary institution mortgage or perhaps an individual loan with all the vendor.

    ReplyDelete
  30. You don't ought to fax any documents, copy and send your earnings slips or other form of paperwork involvedunless specified by State guiidelines payday loans no credit check prepare an extensive business strategy that answers all the questions a prospective lender might ask.

    ReplyDelete
  31. What i do not realize is if truth be told how you're now not really a lot more well-liked than you may be now. You're very
    intelligent. You already know therefore significantly relating to this subject, produced me in my view consider it from
    a lot of numerous angles. Its like women and men are
    not fascinated until it is one thing to do with Girl gaga!
    Your individual stuffs great. Always maintain it up!
    http://monkeypoundstillpayday.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  32. A good idea is to determine over the counter-top to understand what you will be most likely
    to be excited to more healthy. Its their environment really needs to be A hundred and sixty
    degrees fahrenheit. There will much and after that don't like frying most morning, feasible really tough skin boil and therefore peel offspring and show these kind of people prepared to eat out akin to grip which has a a part of super food even when expecting the faculty tour bus. Begin with supplying yourself with a capable point of Dutch oven prepare plus reading about various ideas and as a consequence parts you need.

    Here is my web blog: toaster oven reviews ()

    ReplyDelete

Gimme Gimme Some Lovin'