Disclaimer: this might read more like a journal entry than a fitness blog. You've been warned! Enjoy!
12 years ago I met a very determined young man named Warren Barfield while we were both working a week long summer camp. Warren was a dreamer unlike any I met. At the age of 20 he quit college packed up his mid 90's green Ford Mustang and started traveling to any church, camp, retreat or event that would have him play and sing. To be honest, Warren is one of the most talented songwriters I have ever heard. And I knew it was just a matter of time before he hit it BIG!
Admittedly, I envied Warren, knowing success was just around the corner. It had to be and it was. Long story short the music business for Warren happened. Which meant a record deal and red tape. It meant getting promoted and projects getting shelved. And if I were to ask it was probably not quite the dream fulfilled he shared with me while sitting on a deep freeze at 2 AM at summer camp 12 years ago.
I know you are asking yourself, why are you sharing this story. This is not fitness or health related. Bare with me dear friends, there is a point.
I saw Warren this week. He is traveling out on the road, but not really playing music like he used to. He is out promoting Food for the Hungry - a child sponsorship program on the tour of another successful artist. He played 2 songs rather than 10. He spent more time telling a story than strumming his guitar. And he is by far happier with his current role.
This caused a lot of reflection in me. In an honest transparent conversation in the backwoods of summer camp off the Ocoee River Warren and I shared our dreams. But dreams have way of changing. The end game of that dream once we get there may not always be what we thought it would be.
I too have had dreams come to life only to realize that my vision for that by far was better than the reality that came to life. I am not being a "Debbie Downer" and saying don't dream. Instead, I am challenging you to be open to dream new dreams.
My friend Warren is one of the leading voices for Food for the Hungry. In his time with Food for the Hungry he has helped get more than 30,000 children sponsored. 30,000 families have clean water. 30,000 parents are learning a trade or skill. 30,000 families are been offered the love of God.
There is an often quoted verse from the Bible that says "your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions." What I have learned and what Warren's story teaches is that dreams will shift and change from time and seasons of life. The dreams you once dreamed as young man or woman may not have been realized or once you did it was not really what you dreamed it would be. Then dream a new dream! See a new vision!
This blog while geared around health and fitness is really just an extension of my heart to offer people HOPE! Hope is the expectation of a good ending. What Warren taught me this time is that the dream you once pursued might just be the thing that leads you to the next dream that has a much bigger impact than you ever first envisioned.
Keep dreaming! Keep hoping!
**if interested offering HOPE to children through Food for the Hungry click this link**
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