Ugly Duckling?
As early as the 5th grade, I can remember dreaming up plays and making-up songs with my family and neighborhood friends. In Jr. High we didn’t have a flag team for our band so I helped start one. In high school my dance team lost its coach due to budget cuts, which meant no coach for summer camp. We went anyway, qualified for Nationals in California and placed in the Top 10 just months later! My whole life I have been passionate about dreaming big dreams and then finding people to come along side me to pursue these dreams.
As a young adult, I found my passion for empowering others focused on ministries within the local church. Along with my husband Justin (who was often a pastor at the church we attended) I was excited, ready and willing to dive into helping people find what they were gifted at. It’s an amazing experience when you are able to see others soar like eagles with their gifts.
Sadly as years passed I realized that I was much like the “Ugly Duckling”. The Ugly Duckling was never really listened to or given much opportunity simply because he was ugly. He saw the world differently because of the road he was forced to travel. In the end the ugly duckling becomes a beautiful swan full of wisdom and appreciation for his beauty and attention he receives.
Over the past 17 years of my adult life I have been given many opportunities to dream and empower others. Yet I have also been faced with the hurt of being overlooked and misunderstood. Throughout the years I have often worn my ugly duckling mask so that others would assume I’m not good enough in hopes of not getting hurt… again. Somewhere in my journey I had convinced myself that the way I pursue my dreams is wrong or not good enough. I have often chosen people’s feelings over what God has called me to do. The end result was to simply stop dreaming.
This past week I was given the opportunity to attend RECREATE10. It was filled with amazing music from amazing artists and awesome speakers. It was a great time to meet new people who are wired a lot like me. But most of all, I got to meet another Ugly Duckling named Randy Elrod creator of recreate.
Throughout the week I was struck by how Randy lead. Every artist, speaker or vendor that took the stage to share his or her gifts had a personal fondness for Randy. That’s when it hit me. He is a beautiful swan who has mastered the art of empowering others to use their gifts for a common goal.
His passion to help people grow and be the best they can be was like healing balm to my wounded heart. I’m excited to dream with parts of my heart that I had determined never to let dream again. I have NO IDEA what this means for my life but I’m so excited to start the journey!
What dreams have you allowed to die? Are there action steps you need to take to dream again?
Dream Trish! Dream!
Jenni – just two words…. THANK YOU!
Wow – this has so hit home. I love Randy and the inspiration he provides – how lucky you were to attend that event!!
I'm so far gone from my dreams right now, I'm not even sure what they are anymore… so caught in just staying afloat while taking care of my family – I guess a common issue for many moms who also work. There are some days where "mom" is like nails on a chalkboard. I've simply put "dreaming" on hold for a while… And I'm most afraid of losing that part of me for good.
~ Paula
I completely get where you are coming from. The four days I was gone to the conference (even though I slept at home) I missed…
My 13-year-old's last two basketball games of the year…
Forgot about my 7-year-old's Valentines party including cards and box…
To top it off I missed my 10-year-old awards program for getting straight A's!
It always seems to work that way right? But this is what I am realizing. In order to be the best wife and mom we can be we NEED to dream! And yes, it comes with a price as you see my list above but the joy my kids and Justin have noticed in me has caused them to realize that I need to dream too. Seasons of life, work schedules, daily obligations seem to choke us of our dreams. I'm not sure how to keep dreaming a priority but I sure am determined to try and figure it out!
I'm ready to dream again…
Growing up in Brokenness crushed so many of my dreams so much so the desire to dream was completely crushed out of my life. Having found Christ and opening myself up to him has allowed him to work on my heart allowing me to dream again allowing my heart to change, and the best thing is it becomes contagious !
I am so excited for you to share your story at CultivateHer this month! Its going to be amazing! Can't wait!!
great post, Trish! I'm so glad I got to meet you last week. It just makes me smile and smile and smile to read how you were affected by the experience of re:create and the person behind it all. My experience was not exactly like yours, but there's such power in the unleashing of art and creativity and vision and God-centeredness…. it never ceases to amaze me how it affects each person differently and perfectly.
It was so great to meet you guys last week! God definitely blessed me with the opportunity to hang with others who are as passionate about the arts as I am. SO FUN!! I still think we need to do our coffee + bible challenge! Ha! Ha!
thank you for sharing. Pretty sure I officially gave up a dream last night and not sure I have the courage to take it up again. It feels like it is for the best but still my heart hurts a little each time I think of it. Thanks again for sharing.
~ Makeda I agree with Paula. Sometimes there are season's in life that cause us to have to put our dreams on hold. I pray that God will give you wisdom and clarity to continue to dream and maybe lean into a new dream that He may have for you! Thank you for your honesty!
I'm so excited for you to start this amazing journey, Trisha – you're a beautiful swan full of love, compassion, talent, grace and mercy. You're an incredible leader just the way you are… This is a great word – thank you for sharing your heart. Love ya, girl!
And…. you have the gift to make those you are around feel like ROCK STARS!!
Thank you for such a sweet response! By the way read your post of your story of the talent show! One word…. HILARIOUS!!
Makeda – praying for you – perhaps it's a temporary hold, or maybe God has another route in store that will allow for those dreams to come to life in a greater way.
Love your post and you are a BEAUTIFUL SWAN
I love you tons and Im so thankful to have you in my life and to get to serve with you on this team!
Thanks Jess! It was great to see your beautiful GLOWING face today not that I'm at all bitter that your glowing!
I hope you have an awesome birthday week!!
Trish, It was great to meet you at recreate in line for the ladies room at Pucketts! I really enjoyed your post. It resonnated with me and my story. How freeing to be inspired to dream again.
It was great to meet you as well! Nothing like waiting to use the restroom only to have a whole band come out of it including Amy Grant! Too funny. Amy's concert was so inspirational to continue to dream. Knowing all she has been through she is still living, still getting involved and changing lives. Do you blog? Would love to hear your story if you ever share it!
Over the years, I have let the burdens that everyone else put on my shoulders fill up my life. There wasn't room for my dreams too. In the last few weeks, I have been realizing that I haven't let God use me and the talents he has given me to the fullest. Thanks for this post. It is one more thing along my path that has encouraged me to change so that I can "do the good things he planned for me long ago."
So encouraged by your response! I think its great that you are embracing all that God has for you even though it can be tough and a little scary!
So thankful that you had a great week at Recreate. I love that you feel recharged. You are so talented and gifted. Can't wait to watch you unlock your full potential!
God has so blessed me with your friendship and I appreciate your support and encouragement! And I LOVED hanging with you the first night of recreate, a night I will never forget!
Because your rear end still hurts from only having half a chair?
Thank you for being transparent and sharing your heart. I felt like I was reading my own story. I too remember making up plays and songs with my friends. I remember thinking that I could sing well. I was in plays and talent shows throughout my grade school and high school years. I still had a lot of passion and dreamed big when I finished college and started teaching. I believed that I could do anything I set my mind to. Somewhere along the path of marriage and having children, I quit dreaming. I lost that passion. I quit believing that I could make a difference, or that I even mattered. I am SO looking forward to Cultivate Her this month. I want to dream again. Thank you again for this encouraging post.
thenga kola