words by tara.com

"Writing is one of the ones I participate in transformation." -Toni Cade Bambara
My latest work at createwritenow.com.
What will happen to my journals after I die? What will the readers of my journals think of me? Does it even matter? Should it even matter? Sometimes these questions come to mind as I write what are deeply personal thoughts and feelings onto the pages of my journal. And sometimes there's a hesitation as I pause to give thought to the next words bubbling up inside wanting or needing to be expressed. Would it only matter if I based my worth on the thoughts of those around me? Would it only matter if I wanted to be remembered for the good things about me? Or would it only matter if I didn't want the messy parts of my life, of who I am to be known? Journals are private. They are a safe place to land; a refuge when life seems crazy and overwhelming. Journals are also a place to figure out who you are, what you think, feel, and believe about yourself and the world a…

“New things are happening very quietly inside of me.”- Corita Kent
Short Musings is a random collection of writing ideas of 300 words or less.
Resistance.When we resist the pain it blocks the new thing that is trying to emerge. The more we resist, the more the pain intensifies. Lean into the pain and accept what is so you can begin to heal and ultimately transforming yourself and your life.
Service.Everyone has something they were created to do in this world, even if you don’t think so, you really do. Our purpose and God-inspired dreams are always bigger than us because they are about honoring God and being in service to others. Our gifts, talents, passions, and experiences are not meant for us to hold onto and never share them with others. Instead, God-inspired dreams is how our purpose is expressed. It is very important to understand this, honor it and then do something about it.
Life.This is how life works. We do our part and God does His. But in the process, we must not become attache…

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." -Eleanor Roosevelt

My latest work on www.speakthewords.com.

Maybe we are not supposed to fulfill our dreams, but instead, lay the foundations for future generations to carry out the work and complete the dreams. This was the thought that came to me as I sat down to write this piece. I also thought about what it could possibly mean for each of us who are the bearers of dreams we hope to see manifested. I came across an audio version of a lesser-known speech entitled Unfulfilled Dreams given by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. one month before he was assassinated. In it, he talked about King David’s dream to build a temple and how he died before he was able to carry out the vision. Dr. King said, “At so many points we start, we try, we set out to build our various temples. And I guess one of the great agonies of life is that we are constantly trying to finish that which is unfinishable. We are commanded to do that.…

Short Musings is a random collection of writing ideas of 300 words or less.
Dreams.Every day, we are given the chance to live fully and intentionally. Part of that involves doing what we were created to do and living our dreams. The dreams I am referring to are the ones that no matter how hard you try to ignore, avoid, or run away from, you just can't because they are in you. The dream He has placed in your heart, the one that just can't let go of no matter how crazy or illogical it may seem, that is yours to do.

Stagnation.There is a purpose in being stuck. And when we enter those times where nothing seems to be changing, we need to have open hearts and minds so we can be present for the lessons this season of life wants to teach. The times of stagnation are the times in which we are standing on fertile ground; ground that is primed for amazing transformation and blessings to grow from and for the movement of life to begin again. 

Gratitude.At its core, giving thanks is about pe…

"Writing is thinking on paper." -William Zinser
A new guest post at createwritenow.com
I recently forgot the importance of trusting my inner voice. My life was changing, which meant there were decisions I needed to make, but instead of deciding I found myself reverting back to an old habit of overthinking everything. I was spending too much time in my head wrestling with the choices, weighing the pros and cons and searching for guarantees that didn’t exist.

Whenever I feel overwhelmed by the need to make big life decisions I cling tightly to what is familiar and comfortable despite knowing that change is necessary and inevitable.

Realizing what was happening to me I reached out to a friend and was reminded I needed to go back to the blank page. I am an avid journal writer but instead of writing, I was trying to figure out everything in my head. This gentle reminder led me back to my journal and to one of my favorite techniques called the Four Questions. These questions without f…

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”  -Ralph Waldo Emerson
The idea of creating your own opportunities is not a new one. For ages, people have been “making lemonade out of lemons,” creating their own paths when there seemed to be none. 

I once read a book where the author recalled the ups and downs he experienced on his road to success. During one particular point in his life, he found himself out of work and employment prospects were nonexistent. In the book, he wrote that since he could not find a job he went out and created one. He created for himself the thing he needed the most at that particular time in his life. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

Sometimes the path that is before us may not be the right one to take. Sometimes there is no path and we have to figure out how to create our own.

"Faith is taking the first step even when you can't see the whole staircase."- Martin Luther King Jr.
Part Four of the Dream Makers Series

You have a dream. A dream you have held for a long time.
You have thought about it.
You have fantasized about it.
You have talked about it.
You have created a plan for it.
Perhaps you have even made attempts to live it.
But then something happened. Maybe fear and doubt got in the way.
Maybe life pulled you in a different direction. Your obligations and responsibilities demanded more of your time and efforts.
Or maybe you started to go in the direction of your dreams and then you quit. What you once thought was possible you now think is not possible at all.
But… the dream has not died. It is still alive, beating strong within the deepest parts of who you are. No matter how many times you tried to ignore it, pretended it did not exist, refused to take ownership of it, it remained. It has never gone away.
Your God-inspired dream will not leave you. …

Now is the time to do the thing you were created to do." -Tara C Pray

Part Three of the Dream Makers Series
Today is the day to start living your God-inspired dreams because there's no time like the present. 
But you may have many reasons why today is not the right time. If so, I know how you feel because I was in your position for many years while I delayed my writing dreams. It wasn't until I made a decision and then started taking concrete actions, did I realize my reasons for putting my dreams on hold were not really reasons, but excuses I made because I was afraid and doubtful of my abilities. 
What I have learned during my journey is that while pursuing your God-inspired dreams can feel overwhelming and terrifying, taking small steps towards the vision you have for your life, makes it possible and less intimidating. Start small, right where you are with what you have is how I approached my writing dreams and this mindset continues to work for me years later.
In part thre…