“And it opened up my eyes, I saw the sign. Life is demanding without understanding.”
Pardon me, while I belt a few tunes from a favorite 80’s song. It’s been a rough, downhill slide back into reality after a long and much need vacay.
But thank goodness that I’m a big…no make that HUGE believer in signs.
And I’ve been collecting a few along the way. I think they’ll not just lift me up, but inspire you too, no matter what journey you’re on.
Are you a BIG dreamer too? My dad’s teacher once told him that he wouldn’t get anywhere in life because he was a dreamer. Man I wish someone had scolded that teacher. Dreamers, those guys that keep pushing forward even when everything else crumbles, those are the ones that make it. I’m glad I didn’t listen to my teacher either. He told me I was “an airhead” who was a “poor writer.” Those two teachers need to get together. Obviously, what they said to us had more to do with their own inabilities to fulfill their dreams than it did for two kids who wanted to dream big. In fact, I just got a newsletter from Writer’s Digest’s newsletter Brian A. Klems who also admitted to be a BIG dreamer. Yay for him! Maybe if he had stopped dreaming or dreamed small instead, we’d never hear about him.
Warning step back from the edge. Don’t you love the visual image on this one? Yes, literally you shouldn’t step on the edge of a cliff. But figuratively, I think you need to risk BIG in order to gain BIG! Walt Disney wouldn’t have made it if, for example, he’d listened to his older brother and not taken out a huge loan (in the millions!) and risking everything to pursue his dreams. On the verge of failure? Take the leap. Then, see how far you go!
Success is part sweat, part inspiration. So don’t just stop when inspiration hits. Keep going. This means when you’ve got a spankin’ new idea (one that you think really gets your juices flowing!), don’t stop at the first draft. Mold it and rework it until you’ve got a fine product. This sign is something I need to be reminded of. I’m often caught up in the moment and get so infatuated with an idea that I consume it and then neglect it. Break past inspiration point and endure your idea into the long run and you’ll reap rewards from it. Abandon it too early and it’ll sit in a corner with all of the other unfinished, unsuccessful ideas waiting to be discovered.
Don’t Let Anyone Else Give You Crap. This sign is classic. It’s hilarious, perfectly fitting for the product it’s selling and it’s all too true about life itself. When you step out from the pack, lots of people are going to not just give you crap, they’ll shovel it for you. You’ll get crap from people who want to pull you down, crap from those who think you’re not good enough and crap from those who think they’re better for you. What are you going to do about? Are you going to take it? Or are you going to tell them, “You can give your crap to someone else. Thank you very much!” I think the sign’s clear. It’s your turn to say “no” to anyone who wants to poop on your parade. This is your life and you can live it crap-free if you want to.
How about you? What signs have you got that you’re going or not going in the right direction? How has it helped get you back on track towards a life worth living?
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010, 8:00 am | 
Following your dreams | 
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July 28, 2010 at 8:55 am
Ace of base… haha, loved them. Nice post Brandi! I believe I am a dreamer, don’t know if I know any other way. I Esp. love the the last two points. I needed to read something like this… been one of “those” weeks. I often wonder if I am cut out for what I do. I am def. finding out more about who I am as I go through different situations. Still not 100% sure if I am on the right path. I am beginning to see I am more of an “artistic” designer rather than a “machine-like” one which def. has its plus and minuses. Glad to see you didn’t listen to those trying to beat you down. Keep on inspiring us!
July 28, 2010 at 9:26 am
Hi Beth! Glad to know I’m not the only one who knew that song and that’s going through the same thing. Oh and I’m happy you liked the post-it was fun doing it! And that last sign cracked me up when I saw it.
Also, I think it’s normal to have doubts. I was just thinking to myself everyone has doubts at one point (even the really successful ones) so maybe this is our question mark before the exclamation point. The good news is that we can support one another through the process. Good luck my friend!
July 28, 2010 at 12:50 pm
thanks chica!!
July 29, 2010 at 5:46 pm
A very creative project, Brandi! I’ve seen interesting signs before, but I’d never thought of writing a blog on them. My favorite one is: don’t let anyone else give you a crap.
Keep on the creativity!
July 29, 2010 at 5:50 pm
Thanks Adventurer101! =)
July 30, 2010 at 12:28 am
Congratulations Brandi, it seems that you come from a long line of dreamers. Lucky you! I love the anti-crap attack. I just try to stay away from those people and hang out with the believers. It makes life more fun, exciting and it really does help stay on track with making sure those dreams come true! Loving the pink polka dots by the way and the writing – that teacher would be eating his/her words:)
July 30, 2010 at 11:19 am
Aw thanks Annabel! I was thinking that that teacher actually taught me how to have the confidence and the courage to stick up for myself. When he said, “You’re a poor writer.” I said, “I don’t agree with you.” He said, “Well, you’re wrong!” But that hasn’t stopped met yet. And that was over 15 years ago. I love how you said that hanging out with believers, “makes life more fun, exciting and it really does help stay on track with making sure those dreams come true!” I totally agree. That’s why I’m so grateful for the precious few that keep coming back here to help support one another to keep the dream alive. Thanks for dropping by!
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September 30, 2010 at 8:05 am