Day (353) – Days To The Dream
Right out of school, I wanted to do and be something different. I tried the job route…countless applications to famous marketing/advertising companies…believing that these places would be a haven for creativity, and a place where I could expand my mind. But I never got call or emails. In fact, the whole process made me feel worthless. It made me feel like everything I had worked so hard on my entire life, was not good enough for anyone. In the job world, you put your heart on the line, and people treat you exactly like they view you, an applicant #. The interviews I did go to…I did what had to be done…and it came down to a final decision. Take a job in the city, an incredibly good paying job…cold calling about an IT performance platform…or do something different. “What is your dream.”
My dream, and you can find this in part of my About Me section, is to become an American novelist. To write for a living. But not to write about just anything…to write in a way that will inspire people to go after their dreams and fight through any obstacle that may arise on their journey to get there. To incite people to start their journey, even if they have close to no idea on how to get there. To create a community of people who support not only my dreams, but each others. And to take that initial culture…and infect everyone else. Because an idea is infectious. And we will contaminate the rest of everyone else around us with love, with passion, and with a never quitting attitude. Most of all, we will seep integrity…honesty…and the power of dreams.
12 days. 12 days until I take the biggest risk of my life. And it is the biggest risk so far…and it is seeing the realization of a goal…the largest goal I have ever set for myself. When I was 5, I knew I wanted to become a professional baseball player. I spent most of my life training and putting my heart into that, and I just fell short. But when that dream died…a new one was born. To take everything I had ever learned, and write about it in a way that could relate to people and help them accomplish their visions. I wanted to write. I wanted to speak. And I wanted to preach positive words…as a man who is looking to get better and stronger each and every day. Not as an infallible man…but as a human. As someone who is unafraid to tell the truth of his own shortcomings and failures, and as someone who celebrates the light as well as the darkness. But if there was one thing…as a man who authentically stands for others.
This book…is my heart and soul. In fact, there is a lot in there that you haven’t seen. A whole world that hasn’t been shown. It shows the beginning…when everything was clouded by the emotional tornado I speak of so often. It shows me…down to my core at the time. Right now, you see the result of years of blood, sweat, and tears…but back then…there was just a beginning. A decision to take that first step. That first step into a cave which was shrouded in darkness. There was no light at the end of the tunnel. There was just the lantern I was carrying in my hand. I had no idea what was in store for me, who I would meet and lose along the way, or what I would learn about myself. But the decision to walk into that cave was the best thing that ever happened to me…and I want you to go there with me…and take your own journey.
There is no end to this for me. I have ventured down into a place that I never want to ignore again. There are times when the oil in the lamp becomes low and the light becomes dim…and there are also times that light illuminates the whole room. But it will never end. The day that I can’t write anymore…will be the day the journey ends…and that will be the day the light goes out.
So I make a promise…one backed by my word and my entire person. Night or day…I will stand for an idea. That with every ounce of my being, I will live to help people live powerful and impassioned lives. That is why I am here…and that is what I am meant to do. And I need your help. I need you to jump on the train with me…no matter how scared you are or nervous, and we will all do this together. This train is rolling, and in 12 days, the first piece of the track is being traveled. I would love everyone’s support, because with your support, the next phase of my life and The Better Man Project is born.
All I can say is thank you,
Evan Sanders
Please Join My Dream https://www.facebook.com/BetterManProject
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Evan, so we are travelling by train! This makes me more confident about the journey already (see: Unmoored on My Poetic Spirit). Thank you, Evan, too for all the hard work – blood, sweat, and tears- you have put into this project. You are to be commended for having such a strong passion. I am only a passenger, but I can’t wait to see what happens next! ~Mary
PS. I know the feeling about searching for a job, and feeling worthless. You are just beginning. I had a rep disregard everything but the last five years of my work history – talk about not being good enough!
All I can say is..Good luck dear brother..
Evan I admire your courage. I’m at the beginning of my tunnel right now and its a little dim in here but I know I’ll see bright days and dark on a journey to a better “WE” like you have.
following your dream is one of the hardest things in the world, and I really admire anyone who goes for it. Reminds me of Coehlo’s book, “The Alchemist.” You should definitely read it.
read it
Have you read “Love Does” by Bob Goff?
Great lessons and great man.
I can’t wait to read YOUR book and invest in your story.
Respect. Respect. Respect. That is all I can say to your commitment and earnestness. Don’t lose the idealism along the way!! All best -
Evan, I teach a class on employment skills for a recovery center. As much as I would love to say otherwise, the statistics aren’t very good for them staying clean. However, I start every class by telling them that the statistics are just numbers, ‘unless you make it more’. They can have anything and everything they want if they just dare to get out of the way………. I pray that their dreams all come true, and that it’s NOT because they were made smaller so they could be attained……… Thanks, Even for the gift of these lessons. ~ Love, Bobbie
“As someone who is unafraid to tell the truth of his own shortcomings and failures, and as someone who celebrates the light as well as the darkness. But if there was one thing…as a man who authentically stands for others.”
Good luck for everything, Evan!
I guess it all comes down to the passion we feel and the beliefs we hold. Commitment and the action necessary to move out of our comfort zones can only occur under these conditions.
A very inspiring post, thank you.
Shakti
All the best Evan..
Wow… I can relate to all this so much, you are an amazing writer… I also know what it’s like to be knocked back before you have even had a chance… the feeling that your Inadequate. I loved reading this, I am pretty sure you will go far with your writing if you keep up the mindset your in now, reading this sparked my own inspirations, to create and achieve… I never even thought I would have a blog a few months ago… and now I am in a situation where other peoples posts inspire me every day and make me want to take my blog to an even bigger level… I have even contemplated starting again! Anyway… amazing peice, really enjoyed reading, keep up the great work, I look forward to reading your book.
My dream job was to be a journalist, but I ended up in Electronics field, in my mind I have always kept my dreams alive hopping to make it one day. I like your post for it lightens up my hopes. Thanks!
I discovered your work recently, and have honestly enjoyed every single post I’ve read so far. I’m sold, I need to get your book! There has to be a way we can infect the whole world with your enthusiasm Evan.
How exciting!!!!!!!
Congratulations to you for the courage to put yourself out there and take a risk. Keep up the amazing work!!
All the best to you in making your dream a reality!
I hope that my dream of becoming a successful cartoonist comes true too.
My journey has always been a total train wreck. Some people are blessed with the strength, courage, determination and above all ability to reach for the stars. That was not my lot but your journey has begun.
All the best and I sincerely hope you achieve what you strive for! You definitely have the talent to do it!
Truly, bro!
This post is one of the most inspiring for me so far. You say my words for me! Thanks so very much for your words!
This is so inspiring and instills a “go get ‘em” feeling in me (which I desperately need). Thank you. I can’t wait to read more of what you write!
I just didn’t think there was a man out tere ik this. V. inspiring.
Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Evan. I have recently started documenting my own journey in my new blog, Recreating Lisa. I see that you have started following me, thank you
I share your vision of sharing my life story to inspire people, build a supportive community and offer practical advice about self awareness. It seems we have a lot in common since writing a book has been my dream for as long as I can remember. Your achievements are definitely inspiring. Thank you for all you do.
Lisa
Evan
This is a great site. You are to be commended for your work.
Thanks for finding and Liking my site. I hope you continue to read.
I’ve launching a small work next week I think you might like. Hopefully I can send it to you and see what you think.
Again, congrats on an awesome blog.
Great post Evan. I pray that your dream explodes and grows and becomes all that you want it to be. Congratulations on stepping out into nothing and making it become something. Our God is an awesome God. Also, thank you for following my blog.
Blelssings to you in all that you do!
I wish you all the success and happiness in life…
Through you, I can see my dream come true.
You are a wonderful person too..
God bless you.
I will pray for you .
I feel exactly the same way. To not live the life we want- to not write- would tantamout to spiritual death. And our hope when we write is that we would write something we learned the hard way for a reader to learn the easy way, and understand that wisdom is a gift, and if we can do, by God anyone can. You’re doing the right thing.
Evan, darn it, you nailed it. The third (only!) person that I came across in my life, you dared to ask the question… how many of us live by the ethics and a passionate heart, and not artificially created ‘rules’ this world operates on? People are sleeping through life. I am the one who just woke up.
THANK YOU.
Hey there! So I’ve nominated you with the Very Inspiring blogger award;) to accept it just visit my post for instructions, happy blogging! http://alittlebitjessica.wordpress.com/2012/11/30/very-inspiring-blog-award-day/
As long as I’m here, and I’m able, I’m pulling for you. The journey, itself, is everything…
Serendipity… one of my favorites words in English.
Evan, your train came to Brazil and I couldn’t miss the opportunity – I’m with you man!
I’m inspired, I mean, I’m infected by your idea.
Count on me
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Hey, hope you are well? Get yourself over to my blog and go claim your award Mr! = ] X
Very inspiring! I am there with you.
[...] Day (353) – Days To The Dream. [...]
Reblogged this on Camp Epic Kids.
You have my support. Keep inspiring us all to be better.
Just hopped on your train. Thanks for your inspiration, and I’ll be rooting for you!!
Please, please tell me you have the intention on eventually getting this into hardcover or paperback?