A Dreamer’s Diary: Choose Joy, Always! Sharing My Story of Overcoming Depression
One of the greatest obstacles to following my dreams has been overcoming depression and the feeling of inadequacy. Over the years and through many struggles I’ve learned that joy is a choice and it is strength in the darkest of times…
I shared a glimpse of my story a few weeks back on Facebook and was surprised by the outpouring of support, people who said they were encouraged and even someone who messaged me to tell me that they were going through a down time in their life and I was able to give them an uplifting word.
Often our past can feel like something to be ashamed of but in reality your story and whatever you have overcome is vital to share to help other people get through – dare to be vulnerable, you have the hope someone else needs. This is my story…
Post by Julene Fleurmond.
Featured in this post & video: A Joyful Heart is Good Medicine T-Shirt from my inspirational clothing line Envibrance Dream Apparel. Click here to find it and other style that inspires for both men and women…
Grow Your Dream While Watering Another’s: A Glimpse of My Journey
Some say that when you don’t build your dreams, somebody else will hire you to build theirs. This may be true but what’s so wrong with helping someone else build their dreams if it is for a greater purpose that will benefit the lives of many.
One of my life mantras is that their is greatness in service and often before seeing our dreams come to fruition we may be called to help someone else’s vision. It’s important for us to have discernment on when it’s time for us to move on our own dreams, but faithfully serving in a greater mission can sow seeds of character, wisdom and relationships that make you richer than when you began.
Over the past year I’ve been a part of an amazing internship where I was able to be a small part of something big. The journey was difficult and and I sowed much time and energy, but I come out all the richer because of being able to build others’ dreams and meeting some of the most amazing people that have forever changed my life. Below meet some of those people and see a glimpse of our journey of finding purpose:
Truth and Love: It All Begins with Trust (Dream in Soul Expessions)
It was 2009 during a dry, lonely season in my life when I had an unexpected encounter that rocked my paradigm. During the experience I had a vivid vision of being in a white dress in what seemed to be a grand forest. My first inkling was, “Is this The Garden?”
There was a calmness, a brilliance, a presence of #Love there. Like a little girl I was full of questions- “Father, why…?” I asked. He revealed his heart and love for people from the Beginning, in imagery and passion, an intimate experience I will never forget and could never have imagined on my own…
These words I remember my Father saying there were the most striking to my heart: “Do you trust me?”
Yes. I do. I will follow His way, always. Even when I don’t understand, I will choose Him. Forever… #IamMyBeloveds #HeisMine #trusttheAuthor #theLovestoryofalltime
My Beloved speaks and says to me: “Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away…
For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree ripens its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance.
Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.”
Resource for Singers: The Music Industry Blueprint Guides You on the Journey to Your Dreams
Above: Rick Barker introducing The Music Industry Blueprint website.
“Knowledge and experience – you can’t buy it but you can rent it, you can borrow it, you can learn from it…” -Rick Barker, founder of The Music Industry Blueprint
On the journey to reaching any dream it can get lonely and confusing if you don’t have others going with you and guiding your path…
If you’re a singer you can get stalled and lost on the journey without the right map. The Music Industry Blueprint is a resource I’m a member of that helps you navigate your dream of reaching those you are meant to impact with your music. The founder Rick Barker is amazingly knowledgable, generous with information and is Taylor Swift’s former manager who helped launch her into success. I love being part of this community and connecting with other artists – it has made following this dream less lonely and isolating because I can collaborate with others on a similar journey.
In the Blueprint you’ll find great wisdom and tools to help with branding, building and engaging an audience, and selling. This resource is amazing because you don’t have to start from scratch and can reap the benefits from Rick’s 25+ years of experience and research. I’ve been gleaning from Rick Barker for a few months before joining the Blueprint ever since I learned about him from singer Jordan Pruitt’s email list (you may have seen her on The Voice – I love her music, heart and have been a vocal student of hers). I’ve been drawn to the methods Rick shares on how to engage with fans and treating your music career as a business – it’s exciting to see someone who approaches the music industry so uniquely!
Be sure to check out Rick’s Free Video Series at www.musicindustryblueprint.com. Also watch his intro to the Blueprint above and below an episode of his show “25 Minutes From Nashville” that is one of my faves on how being a musician is one of those professions where there is not much intentional structure to prepare artists for the journey. That’s why I’m grateful for the Blueprint because it helps artists like myself cultivate their brand, engage with fans and build a team. The Blueprint is an amazing investment I’m glad I made and that I recommend to anyone serious about their dreams.
Here’s another episode with a nice kick in the pants to not only talk about it your dream but to implement what you learn and take action:
The Wait: My Interview with DeVon Franklin and Meagan Good on Love and Patience | We Dream of Love Series
Being a twenty-something myself, love is one of the most popular topics among my peers and I (and the topic of many a Facebook status update announcing engagements and nuptials – thanks alot Mark Zuckerberg;). For my first We Dream of Love Inspiration InterviewI interviewed DeVon Franklin who is an inspiring speaker, producer, former Senior Vice President of Columbia Tristar Pictures and author of the bestselling book Produced by Faith, and his wife Meagan Good a talented actress. In the first part of their interview above they give advice to singles on preparing for a mate, and talk about the book they are writing together on waiting.
Stay tuned for more from DeVon and Meagan and other inspiration and resources on relationships in the We Dream of Love Series at DreaminSoul.com.
Last year DeVon and Meagan shared their story and advice to other couples and singles at a special service “Kingdom Love” at One Church International hosted by Pastor Touré Roberts (author of the book Purpose Awakening). Watch them share their hearts in a raw and real way below:
More from the We Dream of Love Series Coming Soon! Be inspired by these posts on Love and Waiting:
(Real Love is Worth the Wait T-shirt from Dream in Soul Apparel: http://dreaminsoul.com/creative)
A Note from Dream in Soul Editor Julene
God writes the best #Love stories – you don’t have to strive, compare, or hold on to someone who doesn’t treat you how you’re worth. You are worthy not because of the physical or material, anything you did or didn’t but because of Whose you are…
You’re already affirmed by He who wonderfully made you in and for Love. When He desires to bring people together in & on purpose He will do it intricately, strikingly and beautifully beyond anything we can imagine or dream for reasons deeper than we realize. Keep your eyes on Him – He’s our true eternal prize. There is no greater Love. – Julene Fleurmond, Editor of Dream in Soul
More from the Editor’s Journal:
How He Loves…Always
He loves me?
Sometimes experiencing what we call romance in this world leaves us wondering what love truly is. You feel that happy pounding and patter in your chest when he reveals a bouquet of roses and candy. Getting hurt though can peel away the layers of our hearts, like someone plucking the petals from a flower…
Want some more inspiration on Dreams and Purpose? Check out these past Dream in Soul Interviews:
A Shining Living Miracle: Interview & Inspiration from Life Coach & Speaker Evelina Solis of Sol2Soul
Evelina inspires others to surrender to God and live with purpose in the darker places of life…
Art Lessons From God: Interview with Visual Artist Tony Snipes Founder of ALFG & Kreative Kingdom
Tony Snipes, a visual artist and founder of Kreative Kingdom, gives advice to other artists on discovering their creative purpose…
SOAR Interview With Jenna Lucado Bishop – Dreaming On In Life & Faith
Jenna Lucado Bishop talks about her role on the Revolve Tour and gives advice on God-given dreams and serving Him right where you are…
Charting Out the Master’s Plan: Interview with Kirk Franklin On His Book The Blueprint
Kirk Franklin speaks to Dream in Soul about The Blueprint for standing firm in life’s storms…
