"Nothing happens unless first we dream." ~ Carl Sanburg

So true. But dreams are just seeds – they don't bloom without the right conditions and it's up to us to help them along. We have to water them. Plant them where they'll get enough sunshine. 

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I've been prodded several times just in the past few days to keep moving on my dreams – to nurture them.

  • Saturday night Shake Russell stood a few feet away from me and sang, "…you're only as strong as your dreams. Don't give 'em up for a stack of green. Keep right on going and you'll see what I mean…" from one of his latest songs. (I'll post about this, but I've barely had time to look at my photos!)
  • Last night I finally watched the movie "Up" – it's about an elderly man finally following through on a dream he shared with his wife, after she passes away.
  • Today I saw the Sanburg quote up above.

But I already planned to use this day to further my (latest) dream, a personal history business, where I can use my love of writing and history and genealogy and general nosiness about people's lives to help them preserve their stories as legacy – and today I registered the name and secured the domain (I didn't even make up my mind on it until I was in the county tax office!) 

 

The name I chose is…

"Memory to Legacy"

So…what do you think?

Huh? You don't like it? Well, there's no going back now, so please don't even tell me!

(Thank you to everyone who gave me feedback on some of my choices and gave me other ideas. It really helped. Please don't be mad if I didn't choose your favorite!This one isn't even my first pick!)

It's scary, this "going into business" for myself thing, especially since we're already pretty broke. But I feel I'm moving in a direction I'm supposed to (does that make sense?) so at this point, I'm not too worried. Next month when I'm trying to pay bills it might be different, but right now I feel very optimistic.  Shake's words help: "…don't give them up for a small stack of green…"  which to me means a another job I don't enjoy but that provides a steady paycheck.

While I was busy trying to figure out how to secure the domain and link it to my blog host, Tom was huffing and puffing, carrying even more bookshelves into my library. So that dream has moved even further along as well, bless my sweet husband's heart. 

I'm hoping I'll have time to work on my book and photography during downtime on my business. The clock is ticking and I need to stop dawdling and get busy.

Okay, now for my Sweet!…

 It's funny – now that I've started this Sweet! series, it's actually tough to pick just one to post a day. Making the final decision on a name felt really good. Plus, today, I got to see 2/3 of my kids – even had lunch and a great philosophical discussion with 1/3. A funny Mother's Day card from my oldest third arrived in the mail. And I found a penny on the floor just as I was handing over the paperwork for my name. (A great reminder of "In God We Trust")

All pretty Sweet!

But I'll stick to the dream theme for Sweet #5:

Moving a step (or two) closer along the path to your Dream.

What is your dream and what have you done lately to make it come true?

P.S. I received word today that someone who played a big part in our lives has Stage 4 cancer in their liver, colon and lungs, and just started chemo. Please, please keep this person in your prayers! Thank you!

 


 

 

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23 responses to “On Dreams … and Sweet #5”

  1. Liz White Avatar
    Liz White

    That’s fantastic Barbara! I’m so happy for you! I think that’s a great idea for a business. I might be interested…maybe you can private message me and let me know your fee structure and what the process would be like. I’ve been wanting to get together a geneology for a long time, just didn’t feel like investing the time at this stage in my life, so I put it off. I admire your bravery for following your dream and stepping off that ledge ๐Ÿ™‚ I’ll be praying for your success!
    P.S. Good words of wisdom: ‘In God we trust’ ๐Ÿ˜‰

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  2. Amy Avatar

    How exciting! I look forward to hearing more as you get your site up and running!

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  3. Jillsy Girl Avatar

    Love the name even though I don’t think it’s the one I chose. I can’t remember now. I can just imagine the excitement you felt when you registered!

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  4. Gail Avatar

    You are going to do great! I just have a good feeling. What a leap of faith, and to see that penny with In God We Trust right as you handed over your papers must’ve really given you a sense of peace!
    Sorry to hear about your friend with stage 4 cancer. So sad.

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  5. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thanks for the vote of confidence, Gail! Yikes!

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  6. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Well, it wasn't my first choice, either. lol So many things to consider! I was excited but also relieved to have that step behind me so I can move forward. Whew!

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  7. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thanks, Amy! You will! No turning back now! ๐Ÿ™‚

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  8. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you, Liz! I'll send you a message later with info and details.

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  9. Lady Fi Avatar

    I’m in love with that photo!
    What a great idea your personal history is… you could also use your photography skills to create a lovely book for your clients.

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  10. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    That will actually be one of the products I offer – photographing family heirlooms for a bound collection.

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  11. debbiejarvis@austin.rr.com Avatar
    debbiejarvis@austin.rr.com

    Congratulations on your new business and following your dreams! That’s so wonderful to do what you love and with your talent you will go far. Oh I got nto the link with my phone without getting that error message….I really need a new computer ; )i

    Like

  12. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you! Hey, you work at Dell – I'm sure Michael will give you a new computer if you ask! lol

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  13. cynthia eloise Avatar

    love the name, love what you are doing. i keep scattering seeds but nothing has sprouted yet.

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  14. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Keep trying! Believe me, I've got seeds scattered all over the place but never have time to finish watering them. sigh.

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  15. beth Avatar

    congrats to you for making a dream come true…..seriously, i have my pom poms out and i’m cheering you on !!!
    i’m still working on my dreams, but that’s okay. it takes time !!
    love the photo below…i love that my son is taller than me. i waited patiently for that day to come when he was growing up !!

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  16. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Well, this is a new dream – kind of a combination/compromise because my others don't pay a dime! But a dream is a dream and this one might just help the others come true, too! I love that my kids are all taller than me, too – comes in handy when I can't reach stuff! I'm too lazy to grab a stepstool ๐Ÿ™‚

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  17. Wolf Pascoe Avatar

    I think your business idea is a great one. Before my mom died, we had someone interview her about her life. I have the tape in a crummy, old box–I’ve often thought how nice it would have been if someone had put together a nice, decorative memory box–with the tape, some momentos and photographs. Maybe one box for each of her children. Perhaps you’ll include something like this in your offerings?

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  18. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    That's a great idea. I'll definitely include the audio tape and will also offer a transcription and even a bound book. Another possibility is a book of photographs with explanations and memories included. Lots of possibilities depending on what each family wants. I wish I'd done this with my grandparents!

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  19. Juana Avatar

    Congratulations, Barbara! I am so happy for you!
    Please forgive me for not responding to that email. I should have responded as soon as I read it, but I got sidetracked… I hope you understand.(Look at me… trying to catch up on your blog!)
    I wish you all the luck in the world with Memory to Legacy! I am sure you will be very successful.

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  20. Juana Avatar

    Oh, and this photo is so sweeeeet!!!

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  21. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you! Don't worry about it – I know how busy you've been/are!!

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  22. christine Avatar

    This photo is one of my favorite of yours ๐Ÿ™‚

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  23. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thanks, Christine! It's one of my favorites, too! I'm ready for spring to be here again…
     

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