What kind of story do you want to live?

I want to believe that my dreams are big enough. I want to shake the dust (thank you Anis Mojgani) and quit faking around (thank you Oxfam). When I read a good book, I get engrossed; I can't help but get involved. That is the kind of story I want my life to be - something which grabs other people and points them to something more important. Sometimes I feel a little lost inside. Afraid that if people looked too close, they might run and hide and not want to look again. The highs and lows, the "here we go"s - every part gets a second chance.

Dreams are important. When I was little, I dreamt of being a secret agent. Then a vet, a farmer's wife (not a farmer - very important distinction), a doctor, a firefighter, etc. Next year I finally get to start living one of those dreams. Teaching. Since working with young people for the past six years, I have begun to love inspiring others to learn. Whether that's learning about God, or about the collective nouns for groups of animals...I love inspiring people to learn! How awesome is it when a young person you've worked with for a while suddenly gets the point, the idea, the reason - it's like a lightbulb has turned on in their head. They are stoked! I love seeing that.

"Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams."
(thank you William Butler Yeats)

I actually wrote this blog because Donald Miller told me to. Yup. For real. Via Twitter. If you go onto a special website you will understand why. He is going to fly two people out to the 'Living a Better Story' seminar in Portland. Two things:
1. Donald Miller isn't a pilot (as far as I'm aware)
2. Will they really pay for two tickets from ENGLAND to Portland? NO THEY WON'T. I would even fly myself out there, but I'm not a US Resident. I'd skype??

Maybe I should include why I would like to go?
I love learning from inspiring people.
I love talking and processing things.
I would like to be encouraged to think about the story my life gives out.
I would like to meet Donald Miller.
I like asking questions and maybe have people throw out a few answers.

Living a Better Story Seminar from All Things Converge Podcast on Vimeo.

So, what kind of story do YOU want to live?

Yes

"In the first century in Palestine, Christianity was a community of believers. Then Christianity moved to Greece and became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome and became an institution. Then it moved to Europe and became a culture. And then it moved to America and became a business. We need to get back to being a healthy, vibrant community of true followers of Jesus."

--- Pricilla Shirer

Sometimes, I hate

I hate being ganged up on, even if its a joke.
I hate being blamed for something that wasn't my fault.
I hate even more that I don't know what to do when I get pissed off, and so I go quiet.
I hate parts of myself which I want to change, but don't see results quick enough.