Just for Youth...
Dare to Dream
by Darris McNeely
Back in college we occasionally had sing-alongs
for the student body. I remember well one of the songs we sang every time:
"Far-Away Places." The lyrics went like this:
"Those far-away places with strange sounding names, far away over
the sea. Those far away places with the strange sounding names are
calling, calling me."
I always liked that song, not just because of the wistful melody, but
for the yearning emotions it evoked in me. I would listen to the names of
those far-off places and wonder what they were like. Castles in Spain,
mysterious China and even Siam (Thailand today) were among the many places
I dreamed of seeing. Over the years I have seen many parts of the world
with even stranger sounding names. Try pronouncing Zidlocovice or
Castlevechio Pascoli.
My family has had the experience of cruising Alaska's magnificent
Inside Passage, full of icebergs and soaring eagles. We have taken in the
breathtaking vistas of the Hawaiian Islands and snorkeled in the sapphire
waters of the Caribbean.
On another trip we stayed in a small family-run Swiss-chalet hotel and
woke each morning to the mighty Matterhorn towering above us. Some years
ago, before the fall of the Berlin Wall, we even spent some time behind
the iron curtain, in Czechoslovakia and East Berlin.
What experiences sound inviting to you? Exotic trips, great adventures,
an interesting career? What might be on your dream list?
Several years ago a friend of mine and fellow minister delivered a
sermon about dreaming. He spoke on the importance of dreaming beyond our
present circumstances and picturing ourselves accomplishing things we had
only dared to imagine. He showed how making a list of our dreams is an
important first step in bringing dreams to reality.
Take the challenge! By forming your own list of dreams and hopes, you
also map out your future.
You may wonder why it would be important to actually write out your
list. Putting it down in black and white takes an idea out of the realm of
the abstract into the world of the concrete and specific. It leads one
closer to a commitment. This technique has worked for many others, and it
can work for you.
Find a quiet place to think about what you would like to achieve in
your life. Take the time to discuss your goals with your parents. Then
record your dreams and put your chart where you can refer to it often. It
will remind you of your dreams and prod you to action.
In The Good News we want to challenge you to seek the truth and always
aim high in your life expectations. We have provided here a chart you can
use as an example to list your dreams: travel, finances, education,
spiritual, possessions, family and adventure. Start dreaming today! GN |
