Word of Encouragement

Our recent words of encouragement have focused on individuals who have demonstrated the power of being kind to others. This week we’re shifting gears a bit to focus on the power of dreams and hopeful expectations.

Why the shift? Because with Covid continuing, I don’t hear as many people talking about their dreams and hopes for the future as I have in the past.

Over the years I have given lots of presentations to entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs. Whether it’s speaking at universities or presentations to various business groups, one of the things that invigorates me is talking to individuals who have great dreams and have that fire in their belly to pursue those dreams.

Several years ago I took one of my sons to a dinner benefiting the Boy Scouts. The keynote speaker was Bob Love. Bob had his number Ten jersey retired after a storied career with the Chicago Bulls. After 12 legendary years in the NBA, Bob ended up as a dishwasher for a Nordstrom restaurant. Bob shared that he had a tremendous stuttering challenge that caused him to be very withdrawn and introverted.

Fortunately, Bob did not see himself as a dishwasher and neither did Nordstrom. They saw his potential. They invested in him by supporting him and his efforts to work with professionals and conquer his stuttering issues. Bob put in a lot of hard work, overcame the stuttering challenge and rose in Nordstrom’s management ranks before returning to Chicago.

According to the experts, public speaking remains one of the greatest fears in life. Yet, here was Bob speaking to hundreds of people. And he delivered a very clear and articulate message: “Dream Great Dreams!” In his message he encouraged the kids - as well as adults like me - to ignore the naysayers and the people that tell you what can’t be done. Instead, if you have a dream, pursue it with all your heart.

After the speech I bought a basketball at the silent auction that Bob had autographed and I asked Bob to add the words: “Dream Great Dreams” below his signature. It remains one of my favorite pieces of sports memorabilia.

May I respectfully challenge you with this question: “What are your dreams?” If you haven’t given yourself permission to dream, maybe there is a different question to consider: “What are your aspirations or the things you are hoping for?”

According to a recent article I read, dreams and having hopes for a better future are extremely important. The article mentions that when people don’t have dreams or a hopeful or expectant attitude, they will focus on their fears and all the things that could go wrong or potential issues that could make life more challenging for them.

And that brings me to the point of this week’s word of encouragement. I know that this Covid issue is a “big deal” and my family is taking the necessary precautions. But even with Covid around, there are still dreams to pursue and, as we have shared in these words of encouragement, God hasn’t resigned and fortunately, He is still in control. So if we will look up and look around, there are still plenty of good things happening in this world and we still have a life to live.

In closing, I learned an important lesson from one of my mentors, the late Bob Buford, that seems relevant to what we are experiencing today. Bob and Linda experienced a great tragedy when their only son, Ross, drowned. They loved him deeply and had an extraordinarily close relationship with him.

Bob shared with me that what got him through that tragedy was recognizing the importance of running towards something versus running away from something. He was saying that we need to be focused on the future and not the past.

As I watch the debates about the VAX mandates, mask wearing, and all the other Covid “stuff” I know that at some point in time this crisis will pass. So I look forward to the day when I can once again meet with people who are sharing and excited about “dreaming great dreams.” Hopefully, that day is just around the corner.

In looking forward, may these words from Romans serve as a guide to a better future: Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.