I was working with another professional recently and we were going through my 10-page Curriculum Vitae in an effort to condense it to a 3-page resume. She was so impressed with my wide range of “accomplishments”. I recall her saying, “You know, if you were pursuing a position in academia, this would be perfect, but for what we’re trying to do…”

It dawned on me: 90% of what was on paper reflected the dreams of who I was back then. It is, however, a rich body of work that I was (and am) hesitant to leave behind. The thing I needed to figure out was: How do I manifest yesterday’s dreams into today’s purpose?

Dreams are a beautiful thing. They give us a reason to exist. They can bring out the best in us while simultaneously creating a monster.

My experience with dream-chasing has often made me feel like the coyote chasing the road runner, getting closer, and closer… only to wonder if I’d ever attain the next level of that dream.

Since revisiting that 10-page document, I have learned that I am a person who is more valuable to the world when I am walking in my purpose, which is very different from dream-chasing.

Dream-chasing made it hard for me to see, hear, and sense whether or not my priorities were in proper order. I was kindhearted in my self-absorption. One day someone I deeply love just had to say to me, “I don’t feel like you support in my dreams.”

That moment, for me, symbolized a “twisting of the ankle”. I had to rethink the chase that was consuming me, altering me, and preventing me from being in tune with the desires of my companion’s heart.

The message here is simple: If you’re gonna chase dreams; protect your ankles. Things get twisted, and sometimes, end up broken.

…May you be led to your God-given purpose. ❤

Clinnesha is a writer, wife, mom, meta-artist, and social entrepreneur who feels most accountable to southern, black citizen-artists, elders, children, and families. Her work is at the intersection of arts, culture, innovation, and community.