Day of Hope #117

Tuesday September 13 – Day of Hope #117

Goal: Build the foundation for Hope's Highways

Quote: “The future depends on what you do today.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Today's Day of Hope wasn't about taking a break from work. It was about building the future I've been dreaming about for years.

I took the day off from my corporate job and devoted every minute to my new business. Looking back now, I can see this was one of those defining Days of Hope. Not because of where I went, but because of what I learned.

I spent hours watching YouTube tutorials, soaking up everything I could about building an online business. One of my biggest discoveries? Canva.

Can I just say...I absolutely love, love, love Canva. It felt like digital scrapbooking for entrepreneurs.

Within just a few hours I realized I could create presentations, social media graphics, worksheets, videos, and so much more. My mind was racing with possibilities. I could already picture creating YouTube videos, designing my own workbooks, and building a brand that truly reflected the message of hope I wanted to share. Every tutorial opened another door.

I also researched cameras, microphones, lighting, and the equipment I'd need to start recording videos. By the end of the day, I had ordered the basics and even found a video editing program to learn next.

Everything was beginning to connect. The book. The website. The videos. The business. It was no longer just a collection of ideas scribbled in notebooks. It was becoming a real plan.

As exciting as that was, I also knew there was still plenty of work ahead. I continued refining the layout of my manuscript before sending it to an editor, and I set an ambitious goal for myself.

January 2023 is my tenth anniversary of taking a Day of Hope. That was the date I wanted to release my first eBook. What better way to celebrate ten years of choosing hope than by finally sharing the journey with others? The excitement was contagious. In fact, I was enjoying myself so much that I decided to take September 14th off as well so I could keep the momentum going.

For the first time, I wasn't simply dreaming about Hope's Highways. I was building it. There is still so much to learn. Marketing, technology, publishing, video production, social media, etc.

But instead of feeling intimidated, I found myself energized. Learning has become part of the adventure. When you're building something that truly matters to you, the work feels different.

It's still hard. It's still challenging. But it also fills you with purpose. Deep down, I know this is what I'm meant to be doing. And every Day of Hope brings me one step closer to making that dream a reality.

I also went for a walk to my favorite tree. The Weeping Willow. It makes me feel safety and gives me hope.

My Lesson of Hope: Passion turns learning into joy. Don't be afraid to start before you know everything. Your vision will grow as you do, and one day you'll look back and realize those small beginnings were the start of something extraordinary.