Leaving a Library of Inspiring Articles

Leaving a Library of Inspiring Articles

Dear Readers,

For the past three years, this blog has been dedicated to encouraging women to pursue their dreams and discover purpose in every season of life.

Sometimes when following those paths, we discover a need to make changes—if even for a short period. I’ve realized that in order to continue accomplishing the dreams before me, I need to step back from others. So, I’m taking a break from updating this blog on a regular basis. Sometimes it really is impossible to “do it all.”

However, I’m leaving you with a library of articles that I hope will continue to inspire you. I’ve listed them with short descriptions on the pages listed at the top of this blog. Each title is linked to its article.

You can also access them by clicking on the links below.

Finding Your Purpose – 33 Articles

Pursuing Your Dreams – 30 Articles

Guest Bloggers – 10 Articles

Inspiring Movies, Books, and Organizations – 7 Articles

Memes

You’ll also find 90 inspirational memes devoted to purpose and dreams on my Pinterest page. Each meme was originally posted on this blog and is linked back to the day it was displayed. Please feel free to share them on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, and your own blogs.

Remember . . . dreams can come true!

Dawn

Happy Thanksgiving!

Meme – Inspirational Quote on Not Giving Up

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Meme – Inspirational Quote on a Closed Door

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Meme – Inspirational Quote on Stepping Stones

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Meme – Inspirational Quote on Trying

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Meme – Inspirational Quote on Blooming

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Why We Shouldn’t Fear Failure

Why We Shouldn’t Fear Failure

While I was listening to the radio during a morning drive, a thirty-seven-year-old woman called in and shared an inspiring story.

As a child, an accident caused her to lose all the fingers on one hand. At the hospital, three surgeons told her mother there was nothing that could be done. A fourth surgeon became aware of the situation just as he was leaving for the day. He approached her mother and said he was willing to attempt the surgery necessary to reattach the fingers to the girl’s hand.

His words: “What do we have to lose by trying?”

The surgery was successful, and today the woman has full feeling and movement in her hand.

Some years later, the woman felt compelled to call his wife and ask if she knew what he had done for a little girl that day. The doctor had since died. His wife said he’d never spoken about the surgery to his family, as he usually kept quiet about his work.

The doctor didn’t perform the surgery out of desire to elevate himself. He just wanted to help. And because of being willing to try, he changed a little girl’s life. In more ways than one. Not only does she have a normal, functioning hand, the woman learned something she’ll never forget. Don’t be afraid to try something out of fear that you might fail.

Failure has gotten a bad rap. But, what if we were to approach it differently?

The difference between stepping stones and stumbling blocks is not in the event itself but how you think about it and what you do after it. Every failure and setback can become part of your success or an excuse for quitting or failing. People who develop the discipline of positivity are both happier and more successful. ~  Michael Josephson

We all become disappointed when plans fail, hopes don’t materialize, or goals aren’t reached. And when we become discouraged, it can become difficult to remain positive.

But . . . fear isn’t from God. Hasn’t he promised to always be with us? Hasn’t he told us to NOT be afraid?

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~ Isaiah 41:10 NIV

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you. ~ Isaiah 41:13

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. ~ Joshua 1:9 NIV

Fear stops us from being all that we are meant to be . . . and from accomplishing all that we are meant to do.

Keep on beginning and failing. Each time you fail, start all over again, and you will grow stronger until you have accomplished a purpose—not the one you began with perhaps, but one you’ll be glad to remember. ~ Anne Sullivan

What do you have to lose by trying? What is the worst thing that could happen if you fail?

Suggested reading: “Overcoming Fear of Failure”

Dawn 

Meme – Inspirational Quote on Daring to Fail

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Need to Move a Mountain?

Need to Move a Mountain?

Having a tough day? Week? Month? Year?

Do you need to move a mountain in order to see your dreams come true? Or even just survive physically, emotionally, financially?

I know . . . sometimes it feels impossible to climb the rough terrain in front of us. We think we’re making progress, only to find ourselves losing ground.

When we grow weary from the journey, we need to remember that God is mightier than anything that stands in the way of us experiencing victory.

Find encouragement in these words, taken from the Bible, New International Version (NIV).

Job 9:5

He moves mountains without their knowing it and overturns them in his anger.

Isaiah 40:4

Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.

Isaiah 45:2

I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.

Micah 1:4

The mountains melt beneath him and the valleys split apart, like wax before the fire, like water rushing down a slope.

Nahum 1:5

The mountains quake before him and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, the world and all who live in it.

Matthew 21:21

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.”

Mark 11:23

“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.

Music often speaks to me more than anything else. So, today I’m sharing the video of the song “Do It Again” by Elevation Worship (see below). But first, here are some of the lyrics:

Walking around these walls

I thought by now they’d fall

But You have never failed me yet

Waiting for change to come

Knowing the battle’s won

For You have never failed me yet.

I’ve seen You move, You move the mountains

And I believe, I’ll see You do it again

You made a way, where there was no way

And I believe, I’ll see you do it again.

Wow! Aren’t those powerful words? God has moved mountains before—and he’ll do it again! For you! Do you believe that?

What mountains are you trying to conquer today? How do you plan to move them out of your way?

Dawn

Take a few minutes to listen to the song through this YouTube video. For those of you reading this through e-mail subscription, you’ll need to watch/listen by accessing it through your web browser.

“Do It Again” – Elevation Worship

Meme – Inspirational Quote on Changing Lives

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Meme – Inspirational Quote on Our Journey

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Meme – Inspirational Quote on Possibilities

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No One is Insignificant!

With a brilliant blue sky above and gentle breezes blowing, I spent a fun-filled morning at a toddler park with my grandchildren. After swinging, flying down slides, and moving sand with toy dump trucks, I sat on the sidelines for a few minutes to watch my three-year-old grandson climb a small tower.

I glanced down, and with a mind free of “to-dos” waiting for me at home, my gaze took in the flowering clover surrounding me in the park. The grassy area was filled with small blooms.

No one else seemed to notice. Children and adults were trampling the flowers, oblivious to the beauty beneath them.

The clover is not a big or flashy flower. It’s never chosen for bouquets or gardens. Sometimes it's overlooked. Other times it's thought of as undesirable—a weed to be plucked or mowed over and thrown away. You certainly won’t find it in pristine lawns.

But if we look closely, we can see the beauty God created in this simple blossom.

Couldn’t the same be said of people? What could we appreciate about a person if we avoided making judgments before learning more? What amazing things might we discover?

As for ourselves . . . how many times have we asked what am I doing here?

God has a purpose for every living thing. For you see, the clover hadn’t gone entirely unnoticed. Bees were dining on the flower’s sweet nectar.

The Lord will complete what his purpose is for me.  ~ Psalm 138:8 ISV

We may not be the prettiest, the smartest, the richest, the most popular, or the most talented in the world. But, we are ALL significant. God DOES have a purpose for us.

And there is a unique beauty about us that God placed there from the very beginning.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  ~ Psalm 131: 13 NIV

So, on those days when you question your significance, remember the clover . . .

When have you overlooked someone and then later discovered something remarkable about that person?

How do you pull yourself out of a slump when you start to feel that what you do or say doesn’t matter?

Dawn

Meme – Inspirational Quote on Being Successful

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