Inspired by Inna Hardison's tribute to her son, I wanted to share with you about living the dream.

I am the blessed and (usually) fortunate mom of an almost ten year old competitive, testosterone prone, sports minded boy, Derek.  He, along with my daughter, are a dream come true for me.  While I have many dreams in my life, one of them was (and is) very basic.  Having a family and being a mom.

Derek's dream, his #1 hope and aspiration, is to play baseball.  He will play for the Oregon State Beavers while he earns his degree, and then for the New York Yankees (if you are not a Yankee fan...you will be when Derek joins their ranks).  While this may seem far fetched given that tons of boys dream of playing in the major leagues, I can tell you this.  If anyone is able to do this and achieve this dream...it is most assuredly my sweet little man.  His dream has become my dream too.

While his Dad and I could tenderly point him in a different direction, telling him that it is just too hard.  We do not.  We want no part in killing a dream.  Especially not our children's dreams.  Beyond that, though, we believe that God gives us dreams for a reason.  So, we look forward, fully expecting to be sitting there for his first Major League game.  We have certainly given this little boy advice on how to make that dream a reality, and Derek has taken that and made it all his own.  These characteristics are how we see the winner inside of him.

• His Faith ~ Derek believes that God has a good plan for his life and that it will include baseball.  As a left handed pitcher, he has God given traits that automatically give him some sort of advantage when pitching.  He also knows that he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him.  When he is feeling frustrated or discouraged, Derek prays and asks God for strength.
• His Coaches ~ In the off season, Derek saw a private coach to get ready for the baseball draft in March.  He wanted to be on the top level team with the best coaches so he could try to learn from them.  His private coach has mentioned on many occasions that Derek will succeed because at nine years old, he listens to the instruction, retains, it, and uses it to make himself a better play.  He did, by the way, make the federal team out of the 100+ who tried for it.)
• His Work Ethic ~ Even after a successful game, he asks those who he trusts what he could have done better to help his team.  He is always striving to do better.  Always holding the ball with different grips.  Often swinging his bat to strengthen his arm.  Even in his free time, he chooses baseball activities because he loves the game.
• His Support ~ Having friends and family around who love him, cheer him on, encourage him, and support him has been paramount to his successes so far.  He always says how much he loves it when people come and watch him.  He knows that he could not do this on his own.  And as a result, he gives credit where credit is due.
• His Character ~ People want to be around Derek.  His teammates and his coaches enjoy having him on the team.  After every practice, after every game, he thanks his coaches for volunteering their time.  He finds the successes in his teammates for that game and encourages them.  Derek is just the kind of person whose character inspires others.

So how does this apply to living your dream in this business and industry?  I would say go ahead and take the wisdom of a nine year old.  Use his traits and live your dream.  I will be using them in my life and in my business.  It will not happen overnight.  Go all nine innings and even more if you need to in order to win.

Speaking of business, if you need help with your residential or commercial mortgage, please phone me at 503.442.1349.  Just realize that if I do not answer your call, I am likely at a ball park cheering on my favorite superstar who is living his dream.  I will phone you back as soon as I can.  While you are waiting..take some time...take the steps...and live your dream too.