Oatmeal Cookie Waffles

One day a few weeks ago, while in the middle of a walk with Ginger, I totally received a cool "Divine Download". By the way, a Divine Download is the loving term I use to describe when I receive and hear messages from my inner wisdom.

As I stared at the leaves dancing in the wind, I wasn't sure I understood. "Ummmm, inner wisdom, can you say that again?"

The message was this: "Look up the difference between a dream and a goal. Make your goals concrete. Give them wings."

Uhhhh okay.

To be honest, I just tucked that nugget away in the notes section of my iPhone. It didn't even register with me until this past Friday, when I heard a song lyric and my mind immediately jumped to the image of the note I hastily typed in the middle of my walk.

I still didn't look up the definitions until yesterday though.

Wonder if my inner wisdom is upset it took me a while to "get" to this nugget or if she knew I'd totally put it away until the appropriate time?? Hmmmm......

Merriam-Webster says a goal is "the end to which effort is directed."

Merriam-Webster says a dream is "a strongly desired goal or purpose."

Well, okay that makes sense. Dreams are just something which stay in your head, while goals are the steps you put forth to make those dreams actually happen.

And so, my dialogue began with myself. Yes, I do speak to myself, usually on a daily basis. It's totally normal and totally necessary for me to figure out what's real and what's not. It's typically curious banter, but I found myself getting a tad defensive.
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But, I mean aren't I doing that already inner wisdom??? I mean, I work on my goals. I take the steps needed to achieve my dreams. Don't I??

Straight up silence.

Uh oh. That's not good.

I've posted on my Instagram (@brooke_langford_) before I have trouble dreaming. I have trouble actually thinking about my future. I have trouble picturing anything at all for my future.

Sure, I've totally blamed it all on heartbreak, life changes, illness, and financial crises. But, I think it goes deeper.

I think it stems from fear. Fear from claiming my desires. Fear of failure. Fear of heartbreak. Fear of more struggle. Fear of asking for more....so much more. Heck, even a fear of dreaming in general.

My dreams have been wrapped up in others for so long, the thought of having my own dreams is scary. But, it's necessary for my heart. For my soul. For my future.

Uhhhh, Brooke, what does this have to do with these waffles?

Well, a lot actually.

Because in my past, I dreamed a lot. I dreamed about food I wanted to make. I dreamed about a life where I'd cook food; bake for people I loved; and live in a house with a huge kitchen. I dreamed of romantic stories where I'd meet the love of my life, he'd whisk me away and we'd live happily ever after. I'd dream of helping women become who they truly are, away from what "everyone else" says. I'd dream of celebrating their triumphs and highlighting their growth. Heck, I even dreamed of waffles.

But I never did anything about these dreams. I never took them and made them goals. I never set forth the plan to do anything about these dreams coming true. And my dreaming dried up. For a long period of time. I figured they were gone forever. Or so I thought. I do have a tendency for melodrama just FYI :)

It still boggles my mind one decision can change everything.

My decision? To begin making waffles again after a long hiatus. With that one decision, slowly the dreams I put aside by began waking up from their slumber.

My desires to help other women. My desires to cook for the people I love. My desire to bake for people I love. Heck, those dreams to meet the love of my life and being swept away have even resurfaced. So have writing a book. And so does my dream of helping women to shut down those negative voices and help them reach their own dreams.

So, how do I celebrate the reigniting of my dreams??

By remaking the first waffle I ever made on my own--oatmeal cookie waffles!!

Redid my new gluten free way of course.

And as I was eating, I thought more about those dreams. I even went so far as to create a few goals. And I have actually begun to act on them. :) You'll learn more about those later.

For now, I'll end it here. But, let me ask you: what are your dreams? Do you have goals associated with those dreams? If not, contact me & let's talk!!
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Oatmeal Cookie Waffles

Yum