Years ago I read a book called The Dream Giver.

It’s a beautiful little book that emphasizes that each one of us is born for a purpose. As children we often see this as our big dream.  Often between childhood and adulthood we forget the dream or walk away from it because it seems impossible.  And then one day we are reminded of the dream again and we make the choice to pursue the dream or to let it die forever.  Then the book helps you anticipate and prepare for the challenges you will encounter as you journey from where you are to where that dream is.

I purchased the book in 2003 shortly after it was published, simply because I liked the author.  As soon as I opened it I was hooked, because I had a dream as a child. It was a dream that I forgot all about as life happened. And then in 1999, I it came back full force. In 2001, I took my first very clear step toward the dream.

Since 2003, I’ve referred to that book several times a year. It’s highlighted, filled with notes, scribbles and pages that are bent back.  In October 2010 I referred to it constantly as I launched a new consulting business in a city I had never lived in and knew no one but my husband.

In November 2012 just as my new business was gaining momentum, my husband was asked to accept a position a half a world away, and this quote from the book filled my mind…

A Giant is a very real and completely overwhelming obstacle you encounter on the road to your Dream. Overcoming a giant requires you to use everything you’ve learned so far on the journey to your Dream, including courage, wisdom, trust, endurance and surrender to God.

Some of the Giants you might face: A lack of resources, an immovable system, an opposing group or individual, A crushing physical or spiritual burden…Or and intimidating circumstance that is beyond your control. For example, your Dream is in New Jersey, but your husband gets transferred to Tokyo.” ~The Dream Giver

So my dream wasn’t in New Jersey, and he wasn’t being transferred to Tokyo –But the place my dream was taking off was in the U.S. and he was being transferred across the world.

In spite of all that seemed impossible – I knew – that I’d been mentally preparing for that leap of faith for 10 years!

Yes my love, I believe that is part of the plan, I’ll follow you there, I’ll support you, I’ll choose my attitude, and I’ll learn all I can.

Today we are still in that place.

And I’m constantly learning and growing in ways that I never imagined.

Some of that growth is easy to point to and define and other things are still evolving.

[Tweet “An altered path deepens and widens your understanding and skills.”]

From a leadership standpoint, the things that I wrote about and deeply believed in before have an even greater urgency and importance.

• Before:  Why Leaders need to be Consistent, Fair & Explainable
• After:  The epidemic risk of INconsistency
• Before:  Have you shared your vision with your team?
• After:  Chaos or Vision:  You Choose
• Before:  5 Ways to Fire-Proof Your Character
• After:  Leaders STAND for something ~ When do you stand?

From a personal standpoint geography has come to life as we’ve engaged with neighbors that are from all across the world and as we’ve traveled.  There are things I didn’t know or had never considered that have increased my knowledge and understanding.

• Before:  When you don’t know what you don’t know
• After:  Is the bacon really worth it?
• Before:  Strong Foundations are rooted in Timeless Truths
• After:  If we are so convinced we are speaking the truth, why are we so afraid to listen to someone else’s?

From a human standpoint, there are things that we’ve experienced that have altered us forever.

• Before:  What special needs families taught me about comfort zones
• After:  Comfort Zones, Dim Sight, Narrow Perspective and Endanger Growth

[Tweet “Catalysts for maximizing your purpose are often disguised as distractions and delays.”]

When have you said yes to something that:

• Felt like a derailment or a delay?
• Tested your faith?
• Required you to leave your comfort zone?
• Didn’t seem logical to the rest of the world?
• Challenged your commitment after you said yes?

How did that experience transform you?

Image credit:  iStock