How many times do you think to yourself:

• “What if I had $1,000,000?”
• “What if I had more time, I would do this with my life?”
• “What if I had this job, I would be much better off.”
• “What if I was able to   __________?”

I’m sure we all have said one of those above, or something similar. And the answer always comes back, “Well, I don’t… but it’s nice to dream.” That’s not the correct answer.

The answer to your “What if” is your passion, your calling, and the motivation to keep your life healthy and balanced. That “What if” is your dream caged up, and wanting to get out. Your dream is trying to get your attention, but continues to be squelched with your lack of desire to pursue it. It is not impossible to achieve it unless you say so.

Dreams do exist, but cannot be accomplished overnight. Your dream is an investment, and you have to work on it every day. You need to share it with others. Most importantly, you cannot be afraid to ask for help. The more you invest in your dream, the more you will see a return on your investment. It will become a reality, and not a “What if.”

Please invest in yourself, so that you can invest in our next generation!

The audience was also given a presentation by “Mama Maxcy.” Evergreen High School math teacher, Megan Maxcy, gave a testimonial describing the statistical impact of Dream Big 101 being in her classroom. “Students would ask when is Nathan coming back, and they loved it when he was there.” Megan also explained how her life was changed from Dream Big’s programs, and it inspired her to begin living out her dream.

The event raised more than $16,000 in donations, auction items, and a paddle raise; and more donations are still flowing in. A special big thank you to UNFI for being a supporting sponsor, and Best Buy for volunteering. And another thank you for all attendees, donors, and supporters.

• 12 – 18 years old
• Enrolled in school within the Vancouver – Portland Metro Area
• The essay has to be 350 to 500 words
• Must be submitted 11:59 electronically, or postmarked by 3/1
• Award winners are required to claim their prize in person

Our Essay Contest is open until March 1, 2012. The reward is a $100 gift certificate to either: Target, Wal-Mart, Fred Meyer, or Best Buy. Click here to go to the essay contest website.

To get started, you need to fully submit to your dream. Eat, sleep, drink, and think about it all day/night long. Pursuing a dream requires all of you. Meaning, you have to be 100% committed to it- nothing less. Once you begin the journey, the natural process of thoughts and feelings will turn into a swirling emotional wind of impatience, confusion, happiness, anxiousness, loneliness, and zeal. In some instances, you may have nothing to show for it at this time. But how do you know if you’re on the right path? Here are some indicators:

• You will do it for free if all your responsibilities were sufficed
• It will change the world you live in
• You can’t stop thinking about it
• Depending on the dream, there are no business models or blueprints to follow
• You may have few, if any, supporters
• You can write about it all day
• There’s not an answer to a question you can’t find
• Not quitting when it success is not expedient

Unfortunately, most people quit before seeing results. DON’T GET DISCOURAGED! Plan on spending at least 100 to 150 hours on your aspiration before you start seeing the results you need. The vision will become clearer, and the pathway will be created for everyone to see. And that’s just the beginning!

Part of growing up is using our imaginations and dreaming of what we may one day become. When kids feel limited in what they can strive for they can feel stifled, and no longer feel safe enough to set goals for fear of failure or disappointment. That is why parents or mentors need to step in and encourage our kids to set those goals high; and if they become unattainable than we encourage them to learn from the experience and create new goals.  At times, we can learn more from trial and error than we do from our successes. It also teaches resiliency which is a very important skill to learn in life.

So, while as a parent or mentor we may feel that burning need to protect our children from failures or disappointments, the best gift we can give our children is encouragement to pursue their ideas and the guidance to take every experience, whether positive or negative, and learn from it. I challenge you to sit down with your child tonight and talk to them about what goals they have in mind. See how you can help them nurture that goal. Our children are our future, and the sky really is the limit on what they can and will become!

• 12 – 18 years old
• Enrolled in school within the Vancouver – Portland Metro Area
• The essay has to be 350 to 500 words
• Must be submitted 11:59 electronically, or postmarked by 3/1
• Award winners are required to claim their prize in person

Our Essay Contest opens on January 1, 2012 to March 1, 2012. The reward is a $100 gift certificate to either: Target, Wal-Mart, Fred Meyer, or Best Buy. Click here to go to the essay contest website.

Do you want to be involved but don’t have time?

Do you have volunteers and want to put them to use?

Become a Sponsor!

For more information on becoming a sponsor for our Evening of Dreams, “The Next Step” on January 28, 2012 at the Heathman Lodge in Vancouver, WA email info@dreambigcc.org. To register, click here.

Thanks for your support!  It is greatly appreciated.

Best,

Nathan Webster, Executive Director

Mark Stephan, Chair of the Board