The Dare Dreamer Movement by Julene Fleurmond

Who says you have to be perfect to pursue your passion? One of my mottos is to follow the dreams in your heart no matter how impossible or lofty they may seem or how afraid you may be or unqualified you may feel. A few months back I began Project Stretch & Grow: Diary of a Renaissance Dreamer-in-Progress and began following some of the creative passions in my heart, from theater to dance. As I mentioned I wanted to share the journey of discovery here to encourage others to follow their creative passions.

It wouldn’t be right for me to encourage others to unearth their buried dreams then for me to keep mine hidden…so here’s a sneak peek at one of mine that I’ve been developing and bringing to light the past couple of months – music. Ever since I was a little girl I dreamed of singing & inspiring others through songwriting.

Music to me is a powerful language that can uplift, impact and inspire. I had always been afraid to follow my passion for music in shyness & fear that I wasn’t good enough but now am okay with sharing the process and my weaknesses; no one who starts out in anything is perfect – just begin somewhere and do it passionately imperfectly as you learn and grow.

Over the past couple of months I finally got the courage to pursue this passion more seriously and finding resources and help from others. I fearfully went through a lengthy audition process with an inspirational music company and after much self-doubting but boldness a dream I had always imagined but didn’t think was really possible came to life when I was signed as an artist on their roster. That was a spark of encouragement to me to believe that this vision can become more that I think I can do on my own if I give it over to God…

Follow me on my journey of unearthing and growing my buried dream of sharing inspiration through music. I’m starting out with a passion and a seed of a vision, improving and learning as I go along from vocal lessons to recording sessions and want to share the process, imperfections and all, to encourage you to also delve boldly into your own passions even while you’re afraid and still developing. Above is a sneak peak of “Arise and Shine (Dare Dreamer)”, an in-progress rough preview of a song I’m writing dedicated to young people I hope to inspire…

I wrote this song to dedicate to girls I meet at conferences I speak at, people I come across in life who have lost hope and to also share my story of coming awake. Over the past year or so I’ve been on a journey of learning more about songwriting and am taking some vocal lessons to develop (and boy is there a lot to learn). I recorded this at home and will be continuing lessons & later working with some amazing people on a “studio version,” but you get to have the in-progress sneak peek of the first verse and chorus!:)

What is a dream you’ve buried, and what’s one step you can take today to begin unburying it? I’d love to hear, share it in the comments!

(P.S. In the video I’m wearing the “Arise & Shine” T-shirt from my inspirational clothing line Envibrance Dream Apparel, click here to get a shirt that inspires:).

Arise & Shine (Dare Dreamer) Lyrics
Verse 1
A girl lost in the dark of night
Minus dad, misunderstood
I see the same equation multiplied throughout her hood;
She thinks she’s worthless, without a purpose
So she gives her heart away
Divides her treasures for empty pleasures
Tries to hide and numb her pain
Fear adds to her emptiness
She was made for something greater than this…

Chorus
Arise and shine
O Sleeper open up your eyes
You’re full of life
So don’t turn off your light
Lost hopes and tears of all the years
Have left you low and dry
But you’re not alone, have faith, hold on
And look up to the sky
Arise and Shine
Dear Dreamer, can’t you see
You’re full of purpose and possibility
So arise and shine o sleeper
Don’t give up now, dare, dreamer
Arise and shine look up and come alive…

For More Inspiration on Unearthing Your Dreams Check Out:

To Boldly Go Where You’ve Always Imagined…

There are those dreams you are responsible for bringing to fruition in a sense; things you want to create, experience and learn how to do. “I want to (insert activity here)… someday.” Why not now, why not today?

Read More »

HeartBlooms: Give Your Dreams Some Love – Dreams in Due Season: A Poem & Message to Encourage

Those dreams in your heart are there for a reason, though you get weary don’t give up on your purpose…

Read More »

Recently I had an amazing time at Women of Faith’s ONE DAY event and wanted to share my experience and how it encouraged my heart…

The auditorium was a sea of excited and expectant expressions waiting to see what effect a single day could have on their lives. Soon the room was filled with waves of laughter and streams of tears – sometimes all at once – as Women of Faith’s ONE DAY event in Dallas made an impact.

Hundreds of women shared a bond and a deep sense of God’s love and dreams for their lives as speakers Christine Caine, Andy Andrews and Angie Smith, poured out their stories and faith-filled wisdom into open hearts.

This was the first year for ONE DAY events, created in response to women who couldn’t attend the two day Women of Faith Events. ONE DAY had a more intimate atmosphere that allowed the speakers to go deeper and the attendees to get more up close and personal and feel like they are part of a sisterhood that shares their faith and feelings about life.

I’ve been inspired by the ministry of Women of Faith for several years now, but never had chance to attend their live events, (other than last year’s event for teen girls, the Revolve Tour “Dream On” which was a fun and moving experience).

I was excited to go to ONE DAY, and what made it more personal for me was that it was held at Southern Methodist University where I went to college, in the very same auditorium I graduated in. Three years ago I sat in those seats and walked across that stage in apprehension, wondering what calling God had placed on my life, and on Saturday the encouragement from the ONE DAY speakers had an impact on me in ways I couldn’t imagine.

The theme of the event was “In ONE DAY God can change everything,” with Psalm 118:6 as the leading verse:

“I will not be afraid, because the Lord is with me.”

Each speaker had a unique style and broke the ice with humor before delving into more serious and somber parts of their stories, to inspire us to see God’s divine plan in our own lives. I loved their transparency of sharing the not-so-pretty parts of their backgrounds that can help others going through similar situations. Here are a few highlights of what they shared…

Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope all of you love birds enjoy this day and make every day ahead one filled with love! Even if you don’t have a Valentine or are going through a hard season, know that you are cherished…

No matter what you are going through – wading in the darkness that tries to engulf you – know that the Light is stronger, darkness won’t last much longer. Though it may get lonely you’re not alone – you are loved, more than you know…

Watch the video above for a poem I wrote recently to encourage anyone who may be weary in following their dreams. Those dreams were planted in your heart for a reason – don’t give up on your purpose…you’ll reap a harvest in due season.

This poem was inspired by my own journey throughout the years of experiencing visions yet sometimes getting discouraged when the dreams don’t always grow the way I imagined. Recently though I was inspired by the wisdom of mentors who encouraged me to nurture the deepest visions in my heart.

During a session of the Inner Circle Mentoring Mastermind (an enriching program I’ve experienced since 2011) with an amazing Reinvention Strategist Marshawn Evans she talked about the importance of dreams and said something that pulled on my heart strings:

“Dreams are designed to be experienced, not just imagined…to be engaged, not to be distant.” – Marshawn Evans

When she said that something inside of me was sparked and I realized that without knowing it I had disqualified myself from certain dreams because they seemed too lofty and impractical, but these are exactly the type of dreams that God wants to fulfill in our lives.

She went on to talk about how dreams are designed too big so you can grow into them, and that you need faith and God in order to see them come to reality. In Marshawn Evans’ Reinvent ME LIVE series that began in January she continued to talk about how important it is to take action on your dreams, find mentors and move into a larger garden when you have outgrown the place you have been. Soon after that revitalizing session (which I would recommend to anyone who is looking to fulfill a dream) I was inspired to share what I learned and bring some of my own deeply buried dreams to life, and it came into form as this poem.

I have so much expectancy for 2012, and recently one of my dreams which I had abandoned years ago is beginning to come into fruition. Since I was a little girl I had always wanted to sing to inspire others through music and creative performances, but had always let fear and shyness eclipse that dream. I’m excited to say that after months of auditioning with an established music company, I was recently offered an Artist Development Agreement to create an inspirational music platform (which I will announce more in detail on the site later). It wasn’t easy leading up to this point but this example is proof to me that those deep, decaying dreams in your heart can indeed come to life if you put in the work to revive and sustain them.

What’s your dream? What vision or passion have you set aside for the more practical and everyday cares of life? I dare you to nourish the seeds of those dreams and bring them to the Light – God can take you further and higher than you can go on your own. Give your dreams some love and let them grow today – Dear Dreamer, the world awaits…

– Julene Fleurmond, dreamfleur.com

The story of Christmas reminds me that anything is possible…and where there is great love there are miracles…

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and may your dreams be merry and bright in the New Year!

In true Renaissance Dreamer style (of trying out passions that I may need improvement in; this was recorded a while back and I’m taking vocal lessons;) here’s my cover of one of my favorite Christmas songs, originally sung by Chris Tomlin: