| Entrepreneurs often find themselves faced with a | | | | Maybe it would be apropos that a similar voice |
| vision-stopping dilemma when they seek to | | | | would haunt me at this time because for at least |
| transform their persona from "dreamers" to | | | | a couple of years, anybody coming in earshot, |
| "doers." Many people cannot envision themselves | | | | heard this idea of mine to build a writer's retreat |
| beyond their current situations and circumstances | | | | on the old family farm in Kenney, Texas -- one |
| and therefore they never get to see an invention | | | | day. It would be a place where people from all |
| come to pass, a multi-million dollar business | | | | walks of life, races, colors and creeds can come |
| started, or a life-changing idea acted upon. | | | | and write to their heart's content. |
| Years ago, my daughter wanted to do something | | | | I feel that sometimes, the mind needs a place of |
| -- I don't remember exactly what, I only recall | | | | relaxation to stimulate creativity. At this retreat, |
| that it would have some small impact on the | | | | far away from the hustle and bustle of the big |
| family's finances. I answered her, "Yes baby ..." | | | | city, I intend to create just that, tucked neatly |
| and she finished my statement with a question: | | | | away in a serene setting with a backdrop |
| "One day, huh, Daddy?" | | | | featuring the most beautiful countryside ever |
| I didn't realize that by giving her that answer for | | | | seen. |
| so long -- it wound up ingrained in her little mind as | | | | The last time I visited the place, the old house |
| a possible date, sometime in the future. One day | | | | was falling down, neighboring cows trampled |
| -- a little be better than the 31st of Neveruary. | | | | through the carport leaving their trails of |
| I remembered that conversation while lying on | | | | "you-know-what" everywhere; hay barns and |
| my back at Brooks Family Practice and Medicine in | | | | pens that once housed farm animals of all |
| Humble. Funny what one thinks about when facing | | | | varieties, now stood precariously in disarray. Yet, I |
| the possibility of a death-threatening ailment. | | | | recall that when Walt Disney surveyed the |
| A jambalaya of thoughts rummaged through my | | | | swampland that a few years later would become |
| mind, but the most prominent one seemed to | | | | known the world over as Disneyland, many |
| focus on the fact that "one day," the day when I | | | | people did not believe in him, either. |
| would hold success in my hands, might never | | | | "If you build it, they will come." In "The Strangest |
| come for me. Faith notwithstanding, an enlarged | | | | Secret," Earl Nightingale asks "What happens to |
| liver, that Dr. Brooks diagnosed me with a couple | | | | the dreams of men?" I'm paraphrasing, but he |
| of weeks previously, could possibly sideline me for | | | | talks about how as youngsters, most of us |
| good. | | | | overflow with fire and ideas, but the sad reality |
| I waited for the technician to come back into the | | | | confirms that only 5 percent will achieve what |
| examining room to finish the ultrasound, the first | | | | most of us call "success." |
| of several tests to determine the source of the | | | | It took me a while, but I finally learned this about |
| problem that caused me to rapidly lose 30 lbs. In | | | | visions. No one really needs to understand your |
| the quietness, I could hear the mantra made | | | | vision but you. |
| famous in the baseball movie "Field of Dreams" | | | | Of course it would be nice for those closest to |
| starring Kevin Costner: "If you build it, they will | | | | you to share in your vision. However, most |
| come." | | | | people will only believe in you -- after your vision |
| Released in 1989, the movie that inspired millions | | | | comes to pass. |
| became an Academy Award nominee for "Best | | | | If you harbor an inspiration to do something |
| Picture of the Year." In an oversimplification of the | | | | great, people may call you a dreamer, but let |
| movie's plot, an Iowa corn farmer, hears voices, | | | | them know you prefer the term "visionary." We |
| and believe they are commanding him to build a | | | | always wake up from our dreams. |
| baseball diamond in his fields. After he does, the | | | | Visions continue until fulfillment finally arrives. "If |
| Chicago Black Sox team comes to play in "the | | | | you build it, they will come. |
| field of dreams." | | | | |