Waking Up to Live Our Dreams

Inspired by Mae

A few days ago I drove by the iconic Powell’s bookstore with my kids. We were heading to find snacks after a fun trip to the Chinese Garden in Portland. As we passed by, I noticed a quote from Mae Jemison that caught my attention. It said, "Never be limited by other people's limited imaginations.

Now, if you know Jemison, you know that she's a doctor, a scientist, and the first African American woman astronaut. Having done a little research on her before, I was immediately interested in the quote and wanted to remember it. 

Later in the afternoon, I googled ‘Mae Jemison quotes’ to see if I could find it. There it was, prominent in the RSS feed as the first quote on most sites. 

Yet, as I dug deeper into her memorable words, I saw another quote: 

"The best way to make dreams come true is to wake up." 

This quote was truly inspiring to me. 

Mae is an example of a woman who lived her dreams! She actively overcame other people’s limitations through her own intentional action toward pursuing dreams. Waking up to take risks to create a future in the face of the unknown future can strike fear in any of us.  

Waking Up is Hard to Do 

Waking up is a simple but often daunting task. 

Dreams can be perfect. Reality is broken. 

Dreams are easy. Reality takes effort. 

Dreams are rewarding, especially when lived in our real life. 

Do you want to be truly inspired by another wonderful human who had to wake up every day and make choices to live her dreams? Read a short bio I wrote a few years ago, in celebration of Black History Month. 

Mae Jemison 1956-Present ⠀

Mae Carol Jemison was born in Alabama as the youngest of three children. Her love of science grew from a young age and Mae determined she would be a scientist by her kindergarten year. Mae also had other interests as a child, including dance, which she pursued. Continuing her well-rounded endeavors, Mae double-majored in chemical engineering and African American studies in college before becoming a doctor and joining the Peace Corps. Always having envisioned herself in space, Jemison saw changes happening at NASA in the early 80s and applied for the space program. In 1987, Mae was the first African-American woman in space. Later, Jemison left NASA to begin the Jemison Group for scientific research and eventually the Dorothy Jemison Foundation. Mae has written several children's books, received 10 honorary doctorates, alongside many awards for her work, including induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame and the International Space Hall of Fame. ⠀

Need Help to Live Your Dreams?

If you are feeling limited in your pursuit of your dreams, I am here to support you! Whether you are not feeling like you are living the dreams you were made to pursue or feel like you have lost your purpose or calling in the world, let’s talk. 

Discerning your personal sense of life calling will support you in knowing how to activate your dreams in your real life. Let’s work together to clarify your vocation so you can live more fulfilled in your work. 

Click here to set up a discovery conversation with Trisha toward activating your dreams. 

Our mission is to coach you to clarify and activate your calling so you can thrive in all you are and do! 

Trisha has served as the executive director of The Leadership Center, coaching women and men on vocation and leadership since 2012. Trisha has her doctorate in Leadership and Global Perspectives from Portland Seminary and is an ordained elder in the Free Methodist Church. Trisha directs The Institute for Pastoral and Congregational Thriving at Portland Seminary, is the director for Theologia: George Fox's High School Youth Theology Institute, and serves as project faculty for the doctorate in Leadership and Global Perspectives at Portland Seminary. Trisha’s vision for the world is for all people to activate their unique identity and calling, welcoming one another to play and work together in mutually honorable, hospitable and generous ways that create healthy and sustainable relationships with God, self, others, and the planet.