One of the things that has surprised me the most about myself is my courage and bravery when it comes to fighting for and pursuing my dream.  I’m not gonna lie, I’ve given my inner self many high-fives along the way impressed with my own moxie…and the funny thing is, I don’t really consider myself a very brave person.  Mostly because I have to listen to the relentless inner tug-o-war between Chicken Mav and Fearless Mav.  Hearing this battle of wits ad nauseam does not always do wonders for my courage.  But then there are those glorious moments when Fearless Mav tells Chicken Mav to just can it and away she goes in all her blaze of brave brilliance and I kind of just stand back in awe and wonder.  I love that part of myself.  And yes,  I love Chicken Mav too.   I’m just learning how to extend her grace when she is the one that wins out.

When I look out over the path I’ve traveled along this dream-chasing adventure, the map is marked with many skirmishes between those two parts of myself.   Recently Fearless Mav totally knocked her own socks off by asking her favorite author/poet/mentor/personal hero if she could take him out to coffee or lunch so she could learn from all his wisdom and experience.  Yep, its true.

Three weeks ago I was heading to Open Mic at Tia Chucha’s and I thought, “I’m just gonna ask Luis if I can buy him a coffee in exchange for him telling me all about how he realized his dream and made things happen.”  Chicken Mav piped up with some lame excuse but Fearless Mav was on it, “What in the world have I got to lose?!  The worst he could say is ‘no’ and then I just find someone else to talk to.”  So after a few deep breaths I went up to Luis, who greeted me with his usual warm embrace, and I asked him if I could take him to coffee or lunch sometime and just hear all about how he made things happen.  To my sheer delight, he said “Sure, that sounds great!” and gave me info on how to contact him so we could work out a time to meet.  Two weeks and a few emails later I was sitting across from him eating my first ever pupusas and hearing some of the behind-the-scenes story of how he came to create and open Tia Chucha’s.  The conversation was priceless and I gained so much more than wisdom and advice, I gained a friendship and a real life mentor!

So I challenge you, my fellow dreamkeepers, to be relentlessly brave as you pursue your dreams.  Introduce yourself to your heroes–if you have the chance, place yourself in close proximity to those you respect and admire, keep a budget for taking people out to coffee or lunch*, and then muster up the pluck to ask your heroes/mentors out to coffee.  In my experience, the ones who are legit to the core will make time to meet with you and will recognize the value of sharing wisdom with the next generation of dreamers–the ones who are not legit to the core are not worth your time and admiration!  Oh, and remember, things like hand-written thank you notes go a looooong way in showing your mentors how much you appreciate them. 

*I learned this helpful tip from one of my good friends and her advice has proved invaluable!  Thanks JB