A big, hairy, audacious dream? Ewwww?! Sounds a little gross. Let me explain.
Last week my church hosted a couple, Kat and Elmo, who are missionaries to Peru. Elmo preached in our morning service about the idea of allowing God to give you a big, hairy, audacious dream – something that sounds unachievable – something that you couldn’t accomplish on your own. And then, start taking steps towards it and see what God does.
I thought the phrase, “big, hairy, audacious dream” was kind of funny, but it stuck with me and all afternoon I wondered, “What is my big, hairy, audacious dream that God has given me?” And then it dawned on me. I’m right in the middle of it.
Writing and publishing a children’s book, collaborating so closely with a co-worker to create something so large, extending ideas about social/emotional instruction beyond the walls of my classroom – these are not things that come naturally to me. This IS my big, hairy, audacious dream, and I am literally in the middle of seeing it fulfilled.
Spiritually related or not, this is a valuable message that kids need right now. I’ve always thought it was a little cheesy to tell kids things like, “You’re awesome!” or “You can do anything you put your mind to!” These are nice sentiments, but I’m also a realist. We’re not “awesome” all of the time and there are probably some things in life that I CAN’T do (like play in the WNBA. Bummer.) and that’s ok!
I think, instead, the message that I’m going to share with my students this year will be “Hard work pays off.” Because it does. When kids put in the work, keep taking little steps towards their goal (academic, sports, whatever), good things are going to happen.