Are You A Firework or A Stream?

Chasing a dream with a family is hard work. You want to quit and just chase that dream but you have a family to support. My friend Zech is focused on helping you to restore significance to your life. He teaches a faith-based approach to chasing your dreams with a family. You can also connect with him on Twitter. Zech, take it away….. 

Photo by: KCNewman Photography

Burnt out and frustrated I sat wondering why I was so tired? Honestly I wondered if I should give up and throw in the towel. Then I asked myself, Am I a firework or a stream? This is very important and I believe it shows us if we will achieve the dreams of our hearts and enjoy the journey. When we pick up things with a firework mentality we appear to move faster and get more done, yet I believe there’s a better way.

Excitement!

You are like a firework. It explodes off the ground so fast you can barely see it. You are getting there so fast it is incredible. You are so excited you just can’t take it. Then you start telling every one of your plans. You are going to make it happen fast. You sprint ahead of the pack. Your heart is beating super-fast and you are going to take on the world in one day. You are going to put it on your shoulders and run up hill at the speed of light.

Disillusioned

At some point you hit the top. What happens to a firework at the top? It explodes. It disintegrates and falls back to earth. This is what happens when we pick things up with our flesh. We are super productive for a very short window before we fall back to earth in little sparks. The little sparks can’t be picked up because they are so small and burn up from all the excitement. We end up feeling defeated and feeling like all hope is gone and there is no way to hit that goal or dream. This feeling is false and it is the way we chased the dream that caused the burn-out.

“Be Like Water.” ~ Bruce Lee

You and I should be a stream. This feels less effective and feels like we will never get there. This is not the truth. Our lives should flow like a stream. Streams start with a single drop of rain. Then after another and another and so on it can create a massive stream. The powerful force of pressure over time is amazing. It didn’t look like anything in the beginning, however over time a trickle can turn into a raging river. A river over time can be so powerful. It can carve into rock; just look at the Grand Canyon. Force overtime led to one of the most massive carvings in the world and it is absolutely breathtaking.

What are some attributes of streams? They are constantly moving. Streams are not like ponds. They don’t sit and are not stagnant. They are on the move. Sometimes quickly causing rapids and sometimes slowly that it is hard to notice if they are moving at all. The fact is they are always on the go.

Run Off

Another thing about rivers is they need to be filled regularly. To keep the flow of the stream running there needs to be something going into it. It needs new life all the time. If nothing is added, it stops the stream. It will dry and be lifeless. You need to add to your dream daily. It has to stay in motion. There needs to be an action everyday even if it is five minutes, do something today towards your dream.

A Source of Life

Streams bring life. The amount of life around streams is amazing. The forest and aquaculture are the coolest thing to see. Your dream will have a similar impact. You will be amazed, at least I am continually amazed, at how my dream chasing is affecting so many around me. Your family tree will never be the same because your kids are learning from your example. They will reach for higher heights because of you. Others will flock to you because they see someone who refuses to settle, which unfortunately is rare in our society. The act of you chasing will have such a ripple effect.

Consistency

Streams have a path they carve out; a way in which they go and most of the time stay in the banks. You need to be intentional about which direction you are going. You need to put in place guiding principles to funnel your effort and energy. You can’t go in one direction one day and a completely other direction another day. This will not build on top of each other and will only breed frustration because there will be no compounding effect.

The Power of Community

Once you get moving other smaller streams and some larger ones will enter your stream causing it to grow and grow. What once was a small trickle can turn into a massive river like the Amazon. Everything becomes easier and once where there was little fruit there is massive results. When the stream is flowing fast and strong everything you do has sweeping impact. Stay on point and it will pick up more steam and have an even greater impact.

Momentum and time are two amazing forces that will propel you to new heights. Steady consistency wins out over hype any day of the week. Be blessed on your journey.

How are you chasing your dream steady and consistently? 

P.S. My second article for the Huffington Post went live and the Good Men Project asked to repost it. It went viral in both places, they’ve been shared over 6,000 times! I would love your thoughts and any shares