Conference Reflections: Part 1

I spent much of the last week involved in a field trip I finally got approved to take students to a "Get Motivated" seminar in Des Moines. Speakers at the conference included Laura Bush, Collin Powell, Terry Bradshaw, Rudy Guliani, Rick Belluzo, Zig Ziglar, Robert Schuller, and others. I was ecstatic to finally get permission, and so were the kids. The trip was on Thursday, and I'm just now sitting down to review some of the notes I wrote down. Today's blog will be a reflection on the conference, and I anticipate several more posts to come regarding this.

The first speaker was Robert Schuller, a pastor, author, and inspirational speaker. One idea that I remember him emphasizing was to get the word "impossible" out of your vocabulary. Mostly this was in reference to creating a dream. He also said that the dreams that seem impossible are most likely from God, because "With man it is not possible, but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:24).

Essentially, the idea is to dream big. Don't settle for comfortable dreams. Dream big, persevere, and believe that God is big enough to help you accomplish goals He deems worthy.

I've always loved listening to people talk about the need for vision in your life or for whatever group you are leading. It's inspirational to hear stories of people who believed in something huge, and then they accomplished it after much work and determination. But I always walk away frustrated at the end. The bottom line is this - I just don't know what to dream.

This is probably more honest than I feel like being today, but I've written it so I'll continue. I hate this about myself, because I often see it as a glaring weakness. Any individual goal I've set out to achieve I've ultimately achieved in my lifetime, but how many of them were grand, bold dreams? As a fickle teenager seeking approval from the world, I sought to become an effective athlete. This was perhaps my biggest dream considering the sheer lack of athleticism and ability I began with. I accomplished the goal. In college I wanted to have the top grades in my classes and become exceptionally marketable. Mission accomplished. Then I wanted a graduate degree and to obtain National Board Certification. Done and done. I wanted to run a marathon and hike to the top of Pike's Peak. I got to the finish line both times. And here I am, going after another degree. I look at this list, and it's nice, but does any of it really matter?

I'm stuck not knowing what grand dream to give my life to. Part of the problem is that I know that there is a cost to all dreams. Mostly, I'm afraid of it costing me time with my wife and daughter. And because I enjoy having time to sit on my porch steps blowing bubbles with my daughter or sit next to my wife on the couch watching "The Office" episodes, I don't feel like I'm wasting my life away.

But it's bothersome to not have a dream. John C. Maxwell defines a dream as "an inspiring picture of the future that energizes your mind, will, and emotion, empowering you to do everything you can to achieve it." I have no picture. I have nothing I am seeking to ultimately achieve.

I have priorities that suggest what my daily actions should be. I've at least got those to guide me, to help me evaluate how I spend my time. I don't feel like I'm wasting my life or leading a pointless existence. I feel good most of the time about what I do day to day (my Nutty Bar addiction aside). I just don't have that grand vision. And I fear the ability to accomplish great things without it.