What do you really want more of in your life? Will you dare to say it out loud?
Well, since you’re asking…I really want more coffee and sleep. (Strange paradox, I know.) 
And, silly, but I’ve kinda been hoping for a pair of these…I can’t believe this world traveler has stomped her feet in so many places without a pair of TOMS. 😉
But since those probably aren’t acceptable (or inspiring) answers, we can talk a little longer.
This was another question I wrestled with over the last week, but I think that wrestling and battling was so much against my own fear…and I think what’s coming out of it is good.
Scary, but good.
Though, up front you need to know that this. is. the. scariest. post. I’ve. ever. written.
Please be gentle with my heart.
Deep breath…here we go.
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In the fall semester of 2007, over our Idul Fitri break from school, some friends and I flew up to Sumatra to visit Bukit Lawang, an orangutan preserve. Included in that long weekend was a day-long jungle hike.
Forgive me here for not sharing too many fun details. This may, or may not, be a chapter in my book.
At some point during that hike, we stopped for a water break, and I took the time to really look around me.
Vines everywhere…it was totally like the movie Tarzan. And I’d kinda had this dream to be Jane at one point in my life.
It was at that moment I realized there was an opportunity in front of me…one that, if I didn’t take then, I might never have again.
So I asked our guide to cut me a vine so I could swing.
He looked at me, laughed a little, and then obliged. He was even kind enough to test it out for me.
I was scared for a minute, but I reminded myself that now was the time…and if I ever wanted to be jungle-swinging Jane, this was the day.
Deep breath…whoooooosh. I sailed through the jungle.
Ok, ok…so maybe sailed is the wrong word. Gotta be honest that my awesome vine-swing was not exactly like it is in the movies.
Definitely still a dream come true, but it wasn’t quite so dramatic.
My point?
Is that sometimes dreams take a deep breath and bravery, but they can turn into something truly incredible.
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I’ve been reading (and re-reading parts of) a fantastic book that I think maybe some of you have heard me talk about. 😉
It’s pretty much amazing.
And as I’ve been chewing on the first part of the book (no, not literally…though I may have chewed off a few fingernails!) I’ve realized something.
When it comes to dreams and saying them aloud, I’ve been safe.
Really.
Maybe it’s because I am an ENFP through and through…very much a talker, processor, people-lover, sky-high dreamer, and I thrive on it all.
So when I shared my dream for the first time, it didn’t scare me, at least too much.
The prospect of writing a book, in general, doesn’t scare me because I’m not afraid of words and stories.
Don’t get me wrong, there will definitely be butterflies that will most likely be doing backflips off of my stomach lining when (and if) my book is published, but this kind of dreaming makes me want to jump up and down and do cartwheels.
At least right now.
All that to say, for me, there is safety with words.
God has given me this dream, and I know it’s for me…and because He gives good things to His children, I know He’s got this. And I can’t wait for His plan to unfold.
However…ya had to know there would be more, right?!
What do I want to see more of in my life?
Deep Breaths.
Bravery.
Leaping out of my comfort zone with my arms outstretched, ready to embrace whatever He has for me.
Last week a Dream Team sister and I were exchanging facebook messages, and I let something slip. Sort of…I really did want her to know.
My other dream.
There is another one…that long-term one that really seems out of reach right now.
For a long time I wanted to keep it hidden, preferrably behind a door with twelve locks, but that’s not being brave, now, is it? 😉
I want more bravery…more courage…to let go, and trust completely that my Father has all of these dreams in His hands and that He’s going to make them beautiful.
And not only the bravery to dream them but the heart to accept His answer, whatever it is.
So we’ve come to the part of the show…ahem, post…where I take a deep breath.
Deep breath…
Deep breath…
Deep breath…
and tell you another deep desire that has been rooted in my heart for quite some time.
There’s a pretty fantastic online space out there…maybe you’ve heard of it? 😉
I’d love to be one of their regular writers.
Big exhale.
Father, you are the Giver of all dreams…and I trust You with this one, too.
Amen. Amen. Amen.
Friends, we are linking up! Every Tuesday at amazing, Holley Gerth’s place. Click on the button below and join us!
Oh, look at this giant leap you just made into bravery!! Oh, I wish I was there at your home to give you a giant hug (well, umm, after I pull you out from under your bed! wink!) Your courage, your honesty, your humor…I love it all!! You are inspiring me to not hold back, because really, I am, and I can’t even voice all of that! I can’t wait to see where God takes all this dreaming of yours!! Glad you had the courage today to leap!! Thanks for sharing!
Oh, friend, you just make me smile. What a blessing you are in my life. I’m continuing to pray for you and your dreams, too…and trusting God has it all figured out. It will be fun to see where He leads you, too!
(((hugs)))
Love it!! And wanna know a secret? That’s one of my dreams too!! Hugs to you, friend!
Yippee!!! I LOVE it…here’s to our dreams! (((hugs back)))
Cheering for you!!! You have, like Holley says, crossed the ocean and burned the ships!! : ) You never know where this brave step will lead!!! God works amazing things! And you KNOW even if He has to tweak your dream a tad…hold on girl, because that means it will be even BETTER!! You have encouraged me so much this morning. For the first time, I had absolutely nothing written for today’s link up, and I couldn’t figure out why nothing would come to me…but kept waiting. I think I had to read your post first to really know what I wanted to write about! Thank you, thank you, Mel! : )
Thank you, sweet friend, for your encouragement! You made me smile…and what a great reminder that even if He has to tweak my dream, it will be better than I can imagine. Oh, that was something I needed to hear today! Praying for you as you continue with your dreams and embracing all He has for you! Blessings!
So proud of you, Mel! You brave girl:) You leaped. Prayers and blessings and hugs to you, girl. Dreaming with you!
Thanks, friend! That was a scary leap…not sure my heart rate has slowed much yet.
(((hugs back))) 
Way to go, Mel! Such a brave step bringing your dream to the light of day! I’m cheering and praying it comes to pass for you. It would be wonderful to hear (okay, read 😉 ) your voice amongst theirs.
Thank you for your sweet words, Courtney! Blessings and prayers as you dream, too!
Mel,
I love that you admit you’re scared (that terrified me, too), BUT GOING FOR IT ANYWAY!
Yeah!
I am proud of you. What’s the worst that could happen when we are with He Who is able to keep us from falling???
Way to go, girl.
Peace and good,
Chelle
Thank you for the sweet encouragement, Chelle! Blessings!
Oh Mel…wonderfully brave! And I’m joining you & Kayse in dreaming that dream…what an amazing group of people they are! ((Hugs))
Oh, thank you, friend! I agree…they are such an amazing group of women! Praying your dream will become a reality, too! (((hugs)))
You are courageous and inspiring and I love that you swung out on that vine back there in the jungle, as well as swinging out on the vine of sharing your deep heart dream with us today. You know what? That website features in my own God-sized dream as well…interesting!! Know that your courage has strengthened many of our hearts today, friend!!
Thank you, Amy! I love this community of encouragers and am so blessed by you! Praying for you as you continue pursuing your dreams, too! Blessings!
This was great to hear
You are one brave lady!
I loved the whole Tarzan thing. That’s awesome you took up that opportunity
And about the other dream, I’m hoping to see your name on there in the future!
Thank you, Katie! Many blessings to you!
The first step off the cliff is always the biggest! Sometimes, just saying what we want more of is an act of bravery in itself! Good for you!
Thanks, Rosanne! I’m hoping that was the scariest part, too.
Blessings!
Good for you! I love that you cut your own vine in order to swing. That in itself is stuff dreams are made of.
Thanks, Amy, for stopping by! Blessings!
Oh, sweet girl! It is so hard to admit those really, really, really big dreams. And I am so grateful that you shared it with us at SDG. I just love all things authentic and vulnerable and I so appreciate you being that way with us.
Thank you, Jen! Your blog was a new find for me today…I’ll be back! Blessings!
I love how you put it out there, girl!! I know it’s hard. And {hush, hush}, like you and Kayse, I’ve had that dream too. “Someday, wouldn’t it be cool if I was one of ‘them'”
Oh Mel, I love your dream and your bravery to step out and share it. My bigger than big dream is to speak at a large women’s event. I don’t have a specific one in mind but something like EWomen or such. Thank you for taking the step to share and in a way pushing several of us to join with you. I can’t wait to read your first post to that a pretty fantastic online space out there
That’s an awesome and beautiful dream, and I can’t wait to see what God does with it! I know you will be great!
I also think YOU are brave because public speaking…not necessarily my gift. 😉 Thank you for your sweet, encouraging words today, friend! Blessings!
Woot, woot for putting those dreams out here for all to see!
I think it is so neat how you went swinging on a vine-I’ve never met anyone whose done that before. And wanting to be a contributor for Incourage? That is one amazing space and an exciting dream! I felt similar to you when I announced I wanted to be a speaker at Allume.
Welcome to Jen’s space-so nice to see some of my fellow God-sized dreamers linking up at Finding Heaven!
Hi, Kim! Thanks for stopping by today! I remember when you first mentioned your dream of speaking at Allume because I thought, “Wowza…what an awesome dream!” And as I’ve read your space and heard your heart more since, I think you would be an amazing speaker! It will be fun to watch God make this dream happen for you…and I’ll be there to cheer for you, too! Blessings, sweet sister. Have a wonderful day!
Thanks for being brave. It’s funny how when one person is brave, it can have a domino effect! I’ve had to step out of my comfort zone a lot in this past year, but it’s been so worth it every time.
May God guide your dream of becoming a regular writer at incourage.
Thank you for your sweet words, Lisa, and for stopping by! Blessings to you!
I love your writing voice and your use of words! Have you read the book Daring Greatly by Breme Brown. She is a fascinating author. I first found her with her two TED talks. great insights. coming over from SDG and glad I find you!
Hi, Jean! I haven’t heard of that book, but I’ll have to add it to my list. Just by the title, it sounds like a great read! Thanks for stopping by my space…blessings!