America's Dream Coach

Mother Achives Goals One By One

2006-11-29T21:51:49Z

I have always been an amazing dreamer; my life has consisted of dreams coming to pass in spite of amazing odds.
I married my junior high sweet heart (dream #1), we are going strong after 24 years(dream #2)! My dream was always to be a great mom and be available to my kids for whatever they needed. During their growing up years, through much sacrafice, I was able to be at home (dream #3) Even though I was home, I volunteered relentlessly becuase I had to contribute(dream #4)! Through the process of being a stay at home mom, along with a strong desire to contribute, I founded an international educational project in Haiti (dream #5) and a national non profit social company (dream #6). Three of my four children are now adults (#7)and I just completed my first level of certification with the ICF as a coach (dream #8). I am not stopping here, I have just established my own coaching practice called Purpose Filled Coaching (dream #9) and plan to keep going until i reach the MCC status (dream #10). That is a very brief snapshop of some of the dreams I have been priveleged to see happen in my life in the last couple of years.

By: Kathleen Loughrige

Dreaming of Helping Others

2006-11-29T21:48:05Z

I dream of empowering others to become better problem solvers for themselves.

By: LaRon Carter

Wife Makes Sacrifices To Reach Goal

2006-11-29T21:01:33Z

A friend, a stay-at-home mom, who has spent all of her energies for 20 years caring for her 4 children and a hard-working husband, has always thought that she loved the medical field, but never really thought of it as a dream.

She had an epiphany when her second child, a son, started getting unacceptable grades in his junior year of high school, and a counselor told her that, although her first child loved acemdemia and was book-smart, she had to let go and let each child find their passion and feel the consequences of their choices. When she stepped back and began encouraging her son to find his passion but beware of the grades, as they help you have choices in colleges, that child quickly blossomed in the drama and choir groups, grades went up, and ended up with a scholarship to a great college, getting accepted into the Drama school there.

My friend then realized that, even though she was 43, had expenses with two kids in college and 2 more coming along, a husband who was rarely home due to work pressures, and would have an up-hill battle going back to get more college accreditation in pre-medical classes, it is never too late to find and follow your dreams.
She is now in medical school, commuting from an apartment back home on the weekends to connect with her family. She is tired and stressed out right now with the transition, but happy she is chasing her dream. This has actually had a very beneficial impact on her husband's relationship with the children, he is now much more involved, and he is now starting to think about his dreams. She is a true inspiration!

By: Kitty Stevens

Woman Starts Impact Group Despite Odds

2006-11-29T20:39:51Z

My dreamer is Martha Clark. I work for her cleaning her beautiful home. She was inspired to start an Impact 100 group in Owensboro, KY. A small town that was told they couldn't find 100 women that would contribute $1000 each to Impact 100 to go to non profit organizations. Well she raised $150,000......150 women contributed $1000 the first year. There are only 7 such groups in the USA and in this small of a town she accomplished this goal and then exceeded it also.
There have been numerous newspaper and magazine layouts of the Owensboro Impact 100 group. She has numerous other organizations she is involved in since she has retired as an invester/CPA. She is also a cancer survivor and raised a beatiful daughter by herself after her divorce early in her marriage. She is a Vandebilt University graduate. If you need more information, then email me back. Here is the website they have created. impact100Owensboro.org

By: Cindy Fulkerson

Dreamer Stays Persistent Towards Goals

2006-11-29T20:31:16Z

My best friend, Helen, has to be one of the biggest dreamers I know. She does exquisite, black and white modelling work and despite work opportunities being few and far between (and the necessity of being selective to preserve the integrity of her work) and not living in the right market (to help and care for her grandma) she has still managed to make some unbelievable assignments happen.

She doesn't believe in pursuing an opportunity, path or course of action unless it feels right. She further learned to trust her intuition after suffering with some pretty serious health consequences while on a path that she knew previously wasn't very fulfilling. As a result of taking a risk and pulling herself off this wrong path, she discovered at least one of her many callings and she also learned how to take care of her body and mind the right way.

While mostly happy on her path it hasn't been easy. I say 'mostly' because she has other ambitions that either require other people to meet her halfway on (she has done her half) or that require greater financial resources - and her low salary currently does not afford her many luxuries (such as another of her big dreams: a life-changing trek through the regions of Tibet, Myanmar, India, Shri Lanka and Nepal which she finds herself drawn to..After that, it's the rest of the world!

But these 'setbacks' haven't stopped her from continuing with her planning and striving. After many years of struggling both creatively and financially, instead of giving up, her path has been reinforced. She just recently told me she decided to continue to trust her angels because she knows she's doing the right thing. She sticks around for those 1 or 2 amazing assignments that present themselves and that she knows she is alive for to fulfill and that will hopefully make a difference to others.

Many of her dreams center around helping others, working hard and creating meaningful and fulfilling art that will inspire others into action. One of her dreams is to model for Oprah magazine (or have her work appear in its pages). [One of her dreams in particular is to participate in a photoshoot that will go alongside an article or editorial that delivers an important or timely message. The idea is for people to be drawn in by the photographs to see this message]. She has written to Oprah on several occasions and is planning to mail a professional package.

She is one of the most persistent people I knew and she just will not give up. She knows what her goals are while still leaving room for the possibilities, the miraculous and the unexpected.

And another thing is Helen wants to share her good fortune with other people. She has been willing to carry the financial burden of her decisions and pay for travel out of her own pocket to assignments. She has accepted many (if not most) assignments without pay because she believes in her abilities and the work she is doing.

She is the only person I know who, at 26, will still chase after some seemingly impossible dreams. Who doesn't believe they are so impossible. Who still believes she could pursue a medical degree (if that felt like the right course of action to take), work with her favorite designer Alexander McQueen or one of her favorite photographers Joyce Tenneson or join a band and be a recording artist. She hasn't closed the door on anything and that's what makes her so special. And she is taking realistic steps to make everything happen.

She has another big dream too - she wants to be truly financially independent so she can use her wealth to not only to fulfill some of her personal dreams but to support other people, good causes and the environment. She has often told me if she had alot of money, she would love to give it away and lavish other people with good things. Because that's what she feels life is all about - to inspire each other - to learn from each other what we do and don't want to do in life and to make the effort to find and use our callings and passions to help and uplift others.

She inspires me everyday and has helped me tremendously. I feel she deserves this chance. Thank you.

By: Sam Gillis

Dreamer Wants to Develop His Own City

2006-11-29T20:19:28Z

My amazing dreamer is my husband, Terry Watson. This man is a true visionary and artist. He can see things so clearly in his head that they are real to him. They already exist. He has always dreamt of building a city. He has talked about it and gathered his ideas,and finally I do believe he is ready.
The universe is sending people his way who can assist him in making this happen. I am in awe of him. He has gone through some really tough times and yet his unquenchable spirit to create assists him everytime to stand up , brush himself off and go after his dreams time and time again. Nobody dreams like Terry, and makes his dreams come true, even when no one believes it can be done.

By: Carol Watson

Stuntwoman Now Wants to Become a Writer

2006-11-29T20:06:47Z

At one time in my life I wanted to be a film actor. I had been a stage actor and was just getting into improv in Chicago, but film work fascinated me. My then mother-in-law asked one day, 'If you won the lottery and didn't have to work, what would you do?' I replied that I would probably get headshots done and start auditioning for film roles and commercials. She said, 'Why aren't you doing that now?' I had no good answer.
I began with a crazy headshot my husband took of me (with my cat!) and submitted it to an agency that specialized in casting background extras on movies and television. I got a call and did my first job on a television program that was being filmed on location in Chicago. I watched the crew intently during my 12-hour stint and saw what each person did on the set.
A week or so later I got another call from the agency asking me if I'd like to work as a stand-in on a film. I told the woman yes, and I knew what to do because I'd seen the stand-in on my first job. She was so professional--right there next to the camera all the time, ready to step in to be the point of focus and lighting for the crew on each new shot. The woman on the phone especially appreciated my praise--she had been that stand-in! I began getting more extra work and stand-in work.
One day on a movie set, I saw two unfamiliar guys overseeing a school fight scene. They were stuntmen. I'd always been physically active, and asked the coordinator if a person like me could be considered for this type of work. (I am just under 5 feet tall.) He said I might be able to double for kids (I was, after all, a stand-in for a kid actor) and asked if I was flexible. I figured I'd impress him with my unusual limberness and dropped into the splits right in front of him. He smiled slightly and said, 'I meant...do you work during the day?'
After my face turned back to its normal color, I learned stunt people are SAG actors, too. I figured if I got in the union I'd have a better chance at getting other on-camera jobs, and even if I didn't, stunt work looked like more fun! These guys were great! They earned good money, but were humble and didn't have the crush of celebrity. I went home and excitedly told my husband, 'I want to be a stunt person!'
Here was this tiny woman (no spring chicken for this profession at nearly 30 years old) living not in Hollywood or New York, but in the suburbs of Chicago, saying she was going to be a movie stunt person. To say he was not encouraging is an understatement; he thought I was nuts. But from then on, every time I got work on a set and saw that stunt coordinator, I'd go up and greet him. (Of course he'd remembered me after that uncommon introduction!) Eventually, he called me to do stunt work, and for ten years I was part of a somewhat elite corps of stunt people in the midwest working on television shows, movies, and commercials shot in Chicago. I worked on location in upper New York, Texas, Ohio, North Carolina. I also got on-camera acting parts in Illinois and Wisconsin, too.
I have been out of the film business for six years now, but am now turning back to a pursuit I had as a child--writing. I need a new Dream Infusion to help conquer the roadblocks I have throwin in my way during my years of stagnation in regular 9-5 day jobs that paid the rent, but not the spirit. (Writing is a lot scarier than stunt work, let me tell you!) Now that I've reidentified my new dream, I'm ready to face the new challenges that come with it.

By: Nina Leone

Artist Takes Leap of Faith

2006-11-29T20:00:10Z

Susan is the one of the bravest women I know. About six years ago she left a successful, full-time career in Journalism to follow her heart and pursue creative endeavors. She has a dream for herself to make a difference to other's through her Art. As an Artist she writes fiction novels and plays, acts and dances. Many people do not understand the appeal of living the artists life. Many people who try find it hard to be true to themselves and their dream because of the struggles involved. However, Art is just as much about the process as it is about the result, and she values what she learns every step of the way to become a better human being.

It is her persistence during the process that inspires me and the validation she receives from others, that her work really means something to them, that makes me proud.

By: Jennifer Yellin

Dreamer Turned Writer

2006-09-15T20:27:07Z

I am the amazing dreamer! Two years ago, I dreamed of writing non-fiction books, but with no platform, other than my being a New Thought minister and well-educated on a number of subjects, no publisher would look at me. I managed to get a wonderful agent on the basis of a POD book I had done, and she and I believed in my dream so much that I not only signed a contract last year to write a book about quantum physics and the paranormal, but just this week signed a second deal to write about supervolcanoes with my father, a noted geophysicist! My belief overcame my lack of a 'platform' and now I have the intention of building a platform in many areas of science, metaphysics and even the paranormal! I am now going to tackle my next amazing dream - publishing my novel I wrote last year during the NANO-National Novel Writing Month contest.

By:Marie D. Jones

Inspiring Sister

2006-09-15T20:22:10Z

My sister, Leah Lau, is an 'Amazing Dreamer'. The essence of her talent shines through at her website, www.leahlau.com where she showcases her landscape photography. Launching her business, Silent Light Photography, has been her dream for some time. She has accomplished this on top of working full-time at a major investment company and earning promotions there too.

She makes it look all too easy to an unknowing outsider. No one would ever guess the hardships she had to overcome in order to be where she is at today. Our parents divorced when we were young. Our mother had cancer when Leah was in middle school and we all had to find jobs to put food on the table and help with expenses. She never let our situation get her down and stayed focused on going to school.

I am so proud of my sister and feel so fortunate to have someone so inspiring just a phone call away. I've watched her grow up to be an amazing woman that isn't afraid to be creative and take risks. She is THE example of how to live life to its fullest and I know she isn't done yet. I'm staying tuned.

By:Grace Lau

Kara Vita Story

2006-09-15T20:13:29Z

I was at a conference in Chicago, Kara Vita, which I am growing to love more and more every day. I listened to you speak. I didn't know who you where. I'd never heard of you before and I don't have the chance to watch Oprah. You where very inspirational and interesting with what you had to say. However, I found Karalyn Schuchert's story profound. What an amazing woman. Humble, funny, sense of humor beyond belief, compassionate, the list is endless. She really touched my heart and my life.

I think the part that got me the most is the fact that not everyone knows how significant the daisy really is to our company. It doesn't just reprensent the company it reprensents many memories for her. What a gift to be able to give your sister that last forever, now that's love.

Anyway, you wanted to know about my dream. I work each day at accomplishing one thing at a time. I work at making myself a better person, so I will trust myself and keep my agreements with others and God. I will break through and turn my life around, right side up and live for a purpose. See, I was listening and taking notes. I am making every day count. I am saying no thank you and finding the qualities that I have in me and more important I am making daily affirmations. That's a pretty big hurdle for most of us to get over. I believe by getting over that hurdle it will help me be a better person and then be able to coach others in their journey in live.

My vehicleis Kara Vita. I love this product and this compnany. I just want other woman to realize in themselves that they do have the power to change their lives. It can be different and will be if they want it to be. I don't know if this will ever get to you, but thank you for giving me the space to put my thoughts. Sometimes that is all any of us needs, just to get it out and see it in black and white.

By:Mary Arbuckle

Speed Reading Model

2006-09-15T19:41:20Z

There are times throughout history where developments and inventions not only added value to society but literally revolutionized our overall advancement as a people. I believe that I've developed a publishing model that has the potential to change the way people read the written word - whether printed on paper or rendered on a computer screen. My model can boost a person's reading speed by up to 40% by simply reading as they always have. My model does not require that a person spend hours studying new reading techniques or practicing new reading styles. My model is based on the way the written word is published therefore an individual's economic circumstances are moot. Merely open a book that had been published using my model and reading speed is immediately improved. My model has the potential to impact the greater good of society

By:Dan H

Dream To Become A Public Speaker

2006-09-15T19:25:38Z

I am a soulful and spiritual single mother with a 4 year old son. My dream is to be a world renowned public speaker and success coach. I currently get paid and live paycheck to paycheck but I haven't let that stop me. I have gotten my business completely up and running, have hired a coach to help me with my life coaching business and another with my public speaking.

I had to begin focusing my energy only on what I want to create and not giving an energy to what I don't want to create. I am so focused on my dream that I have decided that nothing can get in the way of my good, not even me.

For the first time in my life I have truly discovered my passion and my true value and worth. I am priceless and I know it. I share my wisdom and God-given talents to empower others to transform their lives. I willingly give my self in service to others and that make me feel rich! I am full of joy today for what life has to offer and I am truly thankful that you have given me the opportunity to share my dream with you.

By:Tai Bethune

Dream Coming Close To Being Reality

2006-09-15T19:19:27Z

'Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not yet seen' (Scripture quote from the bible paraphrased). Presently my dream is coming together, I started this journey in 1991 knowing in 1986 that there had to be more to life than what I was doing and that I was created to do something bigger than what I was at the time. After quitting job after job and in a couple of cases being fired over a 27 year work history. Finally I am beginning to see my dream come true as an entrepreneur, self-publisher and author.

The road to this path has not been easy through being laughed at, ridiculed, being called stupid, incurred debt, single parent, rebellious teenage son, loss of friendship, lazy, homeless and .....etc. I have endured hardness as a good soldier and have stood my ground to see my way to my path of success. Presently I am in the beginning stages of building my website and ezine for those interested in the area of self-help. This is an area that I am pretty knowledgeable in and the areas of employment. I am also an information fanatic and am working on becoming an infropreneur.

It has taken me the last four years to get to this stage and I am excited about what is going to come to reality in the very near future.

By:Arlene

Dreamer Loses Everything-Keeps Focused

2006-09-15T16:35:25Z

A big part of being a dreamer is to be open to imagination, options, and courage to let the road take you on an unbeaten path. It's not always easy to put the dreams or ideas to fruition. Sometimes we need a little help in the form of guidance or input.
I have always been a dreamer and followed one of my passions, Massage Therapy and BodyWork. About 2yrs. ago, I had an accident that has left me with repercussions and an auto-imune disease with limitations I'm still trying to hurdle. I may not be able to go back to being an LMT, but, I do want to persue my PKP license and teach. I wanted to share my story, b/c , despite losing everything I had, the roof over my head, my financial stability, my career, and my self-worth, I wanted to let people know that you can never lose a dream. If you can dream, you can live. I have had to be creative to come up with ways to achice, at first, little obtainable goals. I am still faced with these hurdles on a daily basis. It is frustrating trying to get a grant to go back to school.Lots of doors of oportunity feel like they have shut and locked for me. It's hard not to get discouraged out of frustration in trying to acheive aid for going back to a specialized school for furthering my career. I am certified to do Touch for Health (applied kinesiology) levels I-IV and the PKP (professional kinesilogy practitioner) is a more advanced version. I also want to learn and practice N.E.T/N.E.A.T. (neuro-emotional anti-sabotage techniqes). This alone can stop people from their own worst enemy-themselves. We are the only ones that truely esfixiate our dreams. All we really need are the tools and knowledge to revive them and keep them active to fully see them come to fruition. These modalities can only help someone to fix the neurological pathways that energy/emotions run on and derail the bad ones for good and recreate the positive ones. What better way to teach then to first be your own student.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my story.
Sincerely,
Juli M. Uhrman