Why We Love Ships (And You Should, Too!)

The face that launched a thousand ships had nothing on those that love ships in Franklin. TN.

Everyone loves maritime themes right? Well besides those that get sea sick or are scared of the water perhaps.

This past weekend I personally found out the difference between dipping your toe in the water and launching out into the wild blue yonder. Spending the weekend with around a hundred and fifty other dreamers and builders launching many dreams out to sea. There were authors, bloggers, pop makers and coloring book creators. From perfectly brewed Liquid Hustle to Moon-pies galore. So many entrepreneurs with dreams and aspirations and big hairy audacious goals.

Now I have been to many conferences in the past so I thought I knew what to expect. I mean how awkward could it be to shake hands, or better yet hug a hundred or so people you never met in person right?

What I should have done is tossed my presumptions out to sea with the empty barrels of coffee beans. Like a ship without a rudder I was welcomed into a fleet of skilled sailors.

What better way to open up the event with a picnic in the vineyards of the local winery. Over tables of food and Red and White wines galore. New friendships were made and bonds were formed. Having the opportunity to meet in real life the people who have poured into my spirit over the past eighteen months or so was overwhelming.

Over the next couple of days my world was rocked in ways never imagined. As a natural introvert at first all the hugs were uncomfortable, by hug number five or fifteen I think it became second nature. My eyes were opened and tears even ran like the Tennessee rains as each dreamer shared their story. So many opened their hearts and blessed everyone with their smiles as they shared their journeys. Moved by my own emotions I felt a change in the waters and a shift in the seas.

I learned about how to be sure I chose the right ship to launch my dreams. Even lost dreams can be found and launched on target again. Learning how to determine not what you do but what you were created to be is what matters. Everyone has a story buried inside of them, all of us should share it. Our story is what makes us who we are, and who we are to be. By using self-reflection and self-clarity we can create hope, hope is the antidote of fear and no one likes to live in fear.

You don’t have to make it big, you have to make it matter. ~ @jonacuff

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We each have our own storm that we face, it is time to take a stand and face that storm. No matter how rough the seas may get if we listen to our inner circle and to what we are good at, we may find our dream. When we know our purpose we then have the control to press pause is we need to. God will grow us when we say ‘yes’ to our real purpose.

We are the music makers, we are the dreamer of dreams.

What do you do? This seemed to be the common theme and the first question many people asked when introduced. Reality began to set in, what do I do? I mean how do I define what I do, what is my dream? I had nothing.

Sure I fumbled over I umm am in IT as my job, I write, I blog.. I .. I ..

That all really answered nothing to anyone but me.

“The quickest path to mediocrity is being realistic” ~ This one hit me on target between the eyes, into my heart, my dreams wounded and cast out to sea. I may as well tie a cinder block to them and throw them overboard I thought. However the day was not over so I held onto the mast of my dream ship for dear life.

Get off your ask!

So many of us get consumed by chasing our dreams on our own that we fail to ask for help, therefore we fail to launch. Understanding that your fight is my fight and mine is yours builds community. It takes failure to succeed so write them down and learn from them and try again. When we learn how to use our one voice our transparency breeds freedom. With freedom within perspective we can obtain our dreams.

One mistake many dreamers make is that they think they can only dream while holding a job. This could not be further from the truth, your day job could actually pay for your dream job. It becomes a place that we can take risks and grow our personal brand.  Brands are not built overnight we must build them intentionally. Sometimes we also can find our dream when we are involuntarily launched from our job as well. Either way it is up to you how you will use the opportunities before you to grow your brand and your dream.

What would it be a step further? ~ @jerrodmurr

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Many dreamers get stuck in their own heads, they get too busy standing on the shores or sidelines rather than casting out to sea or getting into the game. By using game plans, reading books and taking notes we can build a “Why not me” mentality. We can relearn how to regain our awesomeness, by reprogramming and taking the time to learn about ourselves we can prepare for whatever is next. In learning what we can not not do we can develop our road map of our dream. We are not in control of our next as we think so we must prepare and build momentum for our future.

“What God is doing in you is more important than what he is doing through you.”

Many of us live our lives by creating ‘to do’ lists rather than ‘to be’ lists. When the truth collides with us and in turn change us. In change we become grateful not only for where we are going but also grateful for where we are.

One of the best pieces of advise I heard the entire conference was not in a speech. It was actually some of the last words spoken to me and yet the words helped me re-chart my course. As I was telling my goodbyes to my new-found family of dreamers and launchers, one last person had these words of wisdom.

“Keep pressing into the Lord”… Boom nailed it, summed up the entire experience.

The next time I am invited to a conference of fellow dreamers, I will not hesitate and you should not either. My life has been forever changed by people I met on the internet. I will never be the same person, and yes this may seem a  bit cliché yet it is true. The men and women that love ships like I do shared their lives, welcomed me on board and I will be forever grateful.

Have you ever taken a leap of faith and met complete strangers only to have your world changed? Better yet, for those that launched their ships with me this past weekend. I would love to hear what is next, what did you take away, and how can I help?

A special thank you to all the volunteers, speakers, sponsors and host that made Launch Out 2015 possible. Too many to mention but you know who you are. You each are a blessing to those that attended, launched their dreams and started out on the journey of what they will be a year from now.