We need MORE dreamers in our world ...We need people willing to think outside the box and not simply settle for the status quo ...
We need MORE people who can envision a different reality than we find ourselves emeshed in ...
We need MORE people who will not only rock the boat, but who will challenge ALL of us to see and REALIZE a tomorrow that is DIFFERENT from today ...
We need them in our churches, we need them in our governments, we need them in our businesses, we need them standing up for what they believe in, sharing their vision and speaking boldly about WHAT IS POSSIBLE rather than rubbing our hands together lamenting over what is before us in this moment ...
Today over at Meditative Moments I've posted a link to the ultimate expression of daring to live a Dream of a better tomorrow - The "I have a Dream" Speech by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
I've always like that sermon/speech ... he expresses clearly the struggle he and the blacks of the United States are facing - he names the crises and problems they are facing and then with faith and courage and a boldness that embodies the Yiddish quality of Chutzpah, proclaims that not only does HE have a dream- but that THE DREAM is attainable !!!
We need voices like that to speak up about a mulitude of issues throughout our society ...
Today over coffee I shared in a conversation about the need for economic renewal in our town - the response was a shrug - "what are you gonna do? we're too close to Brandon ..."
I suggested that we need to look around ourselves and INVENTORY what this town has to offer and begin to encourage a boutique retail market that could aim at catering to folks who come to the area to enjoy the ski hill, the beach, the cottages, the golf course, or who stop in as they pass by on the TWO Major highways that pass by - we could highlight the many handi-crafters who are ALL around us - we could encourage AND BACK small business ventures that provide SERVICES and retail outlets aimed squarely at the tourist market -AND we could ACTIVELY promote those businesses AND the existing businesses as a destination point in Western Manitoba ...
The response was a shrug and a non-commital nod of the head ...
"Yeah, but who's gonna do it ???"
"Should be the Economic Development Officer," I answered, "but they have to be willing to think and dream outside the box that is the status quo ..."
The world simply needs MORE dreamers who won't take "NO" for an answer ... otherwise, we will perish together as fools ...
I'd like to see Minnedosa:
- embrace the Ethanol Plant in town by encouraging and actively CREATING spin off industries
- create a Truck stop ON the HIGHWAY with services for the trucks pulling off to bring product and commodity in and out of the plant .
- create a tourist information site with current information on what Minnedosa offers to visitors and MOST importantly - folks MOVING here ...
- create a QUALITY hotel complex in the heart of town that provides quality accomodation, services and a REASON for people to WANT to come and STAY in town
- develop a HEALTHY down town strip with retail outlets that not only pull traffic off the road, turn around the economic seepage that sucks money to Brandon rather than spending it locally
- establish a DAY CARE that offers much needed services to the children and families in this area, and along with services like the Library, helps in the promotion of Minnedosa as a place for young families to consider re-locating to ...
- speak of the hopes and dreams and aspirations of those who want to see Minnedosa not only simply survive - but GROW and become a tourist and business hub in the west man area ...
All it takes is some dreamers who won't settle for the status quo and who earestly believe that we can be and have more ...
Let the dreams begin !!!!!
And let's turn those dreams into REALITY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1 comment:
What a great post. My son came home from school on Tuesday and said, "Martin Luther King had a dream that people could all be treated the same. I have a dream that wars will stop. I don't think that one can come true." We had a long talk about that. It was good to have Martin Luther King, Jr. as an example that no matter how impossible the dream, it can indeed come true. I love your list.
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