I Have a Dream . . . . wanna ride?

Do you have a dream? Okay, that's a Hallmark kind of greeting, right? What I mean is, do you have a little secret, something that you aim to achieve that perhaps you've never even said out loud, for fear it might sound as ridiculous as you think it will? Does your husband know? Could your best friend guess? Would your sister be shocked or say . . . 'i knew you could do that all along'.

(grab a coffee, to get where I'm headed might take a second or two)

I used to hope to be a music video director in Nashville, TN. That's why I looked into Belmont University and majored in Broadcast Media at Samford - to learn to use the equipment. Did you know that about me? It must have been just a hope because I never acted on it past just getting graduated!

Then I worked in and around the wedding industry for about 8 years, from helping friends plans their weddings to actually shooting weddings as a paid photographer (not to mention the 12 weddings I've been in). In 2003, while living in South Carolina, I was a new bride myself and researched the bridal industry to a point that I had already met with 2 possible boutique locations in Columbia, had picked out the lines I would carry, even had a name for the store . . . The Bridal Sweet. Cute huh?

So what happened to that vision, you may ask? Well, I just could not get my feet wet. It was gonna cost me (us) a small fortune to get started and I was terrified- TERRIFIED of failing. Then, luckily, we moved back to Atlanta, where the bridal market is completely saturated. I say 'luckily' because the move allowed me to release my vision with an excuse attached, that way I didn't have to feel like I had given up on something and I hadn't failed because I never got to try . . . . right?

All of this is coming back to me for two reasons today. I am cleaning & organizing my filing system for my new Mary Kay Business (and if you read my blogs in mid May then you know what a huge decision that was for me- with risk attached and everything). Anyway, I came across some of the catalogs from those bridal lines that I never got the chance to have in my Bridal Boutique. Along with it, was the layout of the store itself and the design for my business cards . . . I threw it all away, just now, in a big garbage bag - Bye Bye Bridal Sweet!

It was sorta disappointing, and as I began arranging my Mary Kay stuff in it's place, I realized something . . . . I need a DREAM!. Not just a hope or a vision, but something to get out of bed for, worth praying about and watching for God's hand in success, a real goal to allow my friends and family to cheer me on towards . . .

(yeah, it's coming, hang on)

I've been inspired by the stories of success from women in my own unit (the local division of Mary Kay Consultants & Directors) and have sorta grabbed on to the coat tails of my own Director, Cecelia James, who is just 3 years older than me, has driven pink Cadillacs for over 10 years, and has just lead her unit (that's me included) to become the first MILLION DOLLAR UNIT in the state of Georgia. Now in case you're wondering THAT'S HUGE!!!!! And she said it has been her dream for many, many years and she always believed it would happen. . . so in due time, it did! God has rewarded her efforts greatly, and I'm proud to be a part of someone elses celebration. If you've ever celebrated with someone else, you know what a thrill that is.

So, I've adopted a dream too. Not just in theory, but in planning and patience, and believing it will happen with my hard work and God's Guidance . . . . .

No, not to run the Peachtree, although I guess every native Atlantan should give that a try once in their lifetime.

No, not to have Leah potty trained by the start of Preschool this fall - that is a NECESSITY, not just a dream!

No, not to loose these last 15 lbs from pregnancy, because I haven't even tried to make that happen yet.

wanna know my dream?

I want to work my way up the ladder of success, so I can chart every step of the way and ONEDAY . . . .(no real time limitations her, because this is a BIG task for me, mother of 2) . . . . that's right, oneday I want to be driving a pink Cadillac!

Crazy huh? I know. I can't stop smiling at the image (or the song playing in my head). You know you'll want to see that and the only reason I am even putting this out there, in a such a VERY LONG WINDED BLOG, is because now it's been said out loud and I'll have cheerleaders to celebrate with me. Okay, if you've stuck with me here, then you're in this with me and YOU will get to ride in my pink Cadillac! Deal?

Ashleigh is probably laughing out loud, Christy is saying "no way", & Nancy is saying "I want a ride". Come on girls . . . . get a dream! It's fun and thanks for listening to this Bagwell Babble . . . . . . . . Dreaming out loud is exhausting!