Some people ask, What does Dream Bigger even mean? If you look it up, It just refers to being a little higher or larger than now. That is, our goals and visions for the future are a little brighter. For example, maybe we dream of quitting our dead-end job. Then, dreaming bigger may mean we focus instead on getting the job we really want. Or, maybe it means we focus on becoming more spiritual, or retiring earlier than planned, or becoming a multi-millionaire.
Do you Dream Bigger?
The truth is, for me, I’m not sure I really HAVE dreams, I just DO. I have always worked that way. I studied hard in school to achieve the grades I wanted. Then I just went and got a JOB! And I happened to really like that job, and the people I worked with. I was very fortunate there. I had a great mentor there and there was a lot of growth potential there so I excelled. Over 10 years, I was promoted to various positions within this corporate retail giant that dominated the country throughout the 90s to early 2000s from merchandise planning and distribution to buying. As you know retail is a very hard industry, even if you are on the corporate side. You still have to be on your toes, 24/7….I was burnt OUT!
By this time My Husband, Michael, and I had been married since 1994. We had started our married life in San Francisco, California out of College. My Career began with Macy’s in Corporate Retail in July 1992 and Rich’s (Federated Department Stores) transferred me to Atlanta in February of 1997. We bought our 1st house in Roswell, GA in 1999 and our 2nd and current house 2006 in Cumming, GA. But I am getting ahead of myself ….
When we were transferred to Atlanta we knew we would be focusing on family. Michael’s father was in end stage lung cancer. In fact, we only got to spend about a month with him and Michael’s last flight back almost did not allow him to say goodbye. Only by the Grace of GOD and whispers in Gordon’s ear to “Hang on, Michael is on his way” did that happen.
Loss Brings more Struggle
The loss of Gordon hit us hard in our hearts. He was a Rock and and joy to be around. He was a Dean at Auburn and always had a smile. He taught me to love Folk music and a good Gin and Tonic with a twist of lemon…he made the best. I can’t listen to Simon and Garfunkle – Concert in the Park without thinking of Gordon. He also instilled in me my love for Auburn. He lived and breathed the Auburn Creed, as shall I!
The Auburn Creed Written by Dr George Petrie, 1943
- I Believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn.
- Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.
- I Believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work wisely and trains my mind and hands to work skillfully.
- I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I cannot win the respect and confidence of my fellow men.
- I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body and spirit that is not afraid , and in clean sports that develop these qualities.
- I believe in obedience to law because is protects the rights of all.
- I believe in the human touch because it cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and mutual helpfullness and brings happiness for all.
- I believe in my Country, because it is a land of Freedom and it is my own home, and that I can best serve the country by “doing justly, loving mercy, walking humbly with my God.”
- And because Auburn men and women believe in these things, I believe in Auburn and LOVE IT!
But then comes Hope
So we start to think further about starting our Family. I am still working at Rich’s. I love my job, but it is a stressful environment and we struggle as we unfortunately cannot make our dreams of a Family come together. We do the tests, see the doctors, do more tests…Nothing seems to work. I have several miscarriages, a surgery to successfully unblock my tubes and we even try artificial insemination several times…all to no avail. Feeling defeated, we have some thing and praying to do. It seems our only choice at this point is IVF, in-vitro fertilization. I wasn’t sure. Did I want to go that route? How badly did I want this child? I could get more than I bargained for! OR…it may never work!
So after A LOT of thought, A LOT of Prayer, and A LOT of discussion with family and friends….we did it! And Wouldn’t you know…2 eggs…1 took…and we get a MIRACLE…Emma Grace Bond, on the 1st try! She is the light of my life, my joy, my inspiration and my WHY! I want her to be proud of everything I do! She is a BLESSING in my life and I am proud to be her MOM. Everything I do, I do for her.
I quit my stressful job, in order to have her! Then went back to something for a bit part-time for a few years….then when she hit kindergarten, I got the BEST JOB EVER! Stay-at-home MOM!
Being MOM…..
Being a MOM IS a Dream, yes. But Stay-at-Home Mom was great. I got to be in school as “room mom”, I got to be her team manager for her travel soccer team. Being involved with 4 years of her elementary school yearbook as photographer was even more amazing. That meant I got to be at every single school event!! Middle school was less involved, but she wanted me there for her after school activities, and it was a whole other monster anyway! High School took things to a whole new level. She became a young adult. That was so incredible to watch. The discussions, WOW, the discussions…just sayin! Now she is off in College and I couldn’t be more proud of this young woman we have raised. And more AUBURN fun times ahead….we are building memories!
But What about ME?
I had to reinvent myself though once high school hit. I had more time on my hands. I needed something to do. Once COVID hit, there was no going back to work outside the home, I had to figure something out. That is when I found RRR247. Hmmm….marketing? I had NO IDEA what to do with this, I was a fish out of water, flopping around, struggling to breathe. Took me months to write, NO, edit a couple of pages. Then Google Adsense…..ask me how many times it took me???? Anyway, I hunkered Down, DID NOT GIVE UP, and I’m still here almost 3 years later….5/2 will be my 3 year anniversary.
Want to Know what my DREAM BIGGER is?
I have it now….and I’ll have to change it later this year. Because I’m just gonna DO it. I’ll be MSI by June 1st. It’s not really a Dream, if I just do it right?
Now up there a ways in my article I mentioned that Auburn Creed…I live and breathe by that…I BELEIVE!
- I BELIEVE in God
- I BELIEVE in Love
- I BELIEVE in Honesty
- I BELIEVE in Family
- I BELIEVE in Hope
- I BELIEVE in Faith
- I BELIEVE in ME
- I BELIEVE I WILL SUCCEED!!!
Who is with me? Dream Bigger? Or Just Do it?
