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Some people have visions of a dream job. Others are called through their passions to find their purpose. Is your dream a job or a calling? How can you find out? Do you have a dream job?
Either way, continue to DREAM BIG! Hold on to what is good, even if it's a handful of earth. Hold on to what you believe, even if it's a tree that stands by itself. Hold on to what you must do, even if it's a long way from here. ... ~ First 3 Stanzas of a Pueblo Prayer 2020 has been a year of unimaginable challenges and hidden blessings. Has this year made you want to give up on your dream? What can you do to hold on for 2021? When I'm feeling the urge to give up on my dream, I read the Pueblo prayer above that is posted on my office wall. I came across this poem while struggling through many months of writing the I Dream PCS charter application. I spoke this poem aloud, over and over, when the search for a school building made my hair fall out and drove us to consider waiting another year to open. When I'm feeling overwhelmed with the daunting task at hand, so much so that I want to give up, I go to this poem for strength. A Dream Loud & Proud post didn't happen last week because I was in that doubtful place again. The challenges of opening I Dream PCS with a group of humans in the midst of a pandemic had me thinking about walking away to live an easier life. I will be 58 years old next month. Many of my friends and loved ones are retired, with dreams of traveling to far away places to lay in the sun when it is safe to do so. I have the same vision for my retired life. A mango cart ( just to earn pocket change) and a Caribbean beach with the man I love are all I would need. Why am I enduring the headaches of creating a school? When I'm in this place of doubt, someone or something always reminds me: This is my calling. Hold on. The Pueblo poem shouted in my face again. I continued to see number patterns - 404, 808, 1212 - when I looked at a clock. A spiritual leader I admire called me to say she has my back. A colleague showed me an inspiring quote that I don't remember saying from a video I am in. I've moved out of that doubtful place and back onto my path by paying attention to the signs and messages given to me. Pay attention to messages and signs. Has someone, out of the blue, sent you words of encouragement? Did you hear a song or see something that you KNOW was a message for you? Are you seeing number patterns? All are signs you must hold on, that you are living what you are here to be and to do. Listen. Change is coming. A 90's flashback for ya! Listening to Sounds of Blackness every day got me through some rough times - divorce, financial woes, death and loss. "Optimistic" was in heavy rotation on my CD player. Remember CDs? Stay encouraged, beautiful people. I wish you blessings and abundance in 2021. YouTube video provided by Universal Music Group.
The moment I met Elissa Frazier, I knew we were kindred. Her podcast, Designed to Thrive invites educators, leaders, and community partners to talk about how we are creating schools and spaces where all children are valued, empowered, and successful. Elissa invited me to explain why the dreams of Black and Brown children matter at I Dream PCS, and their dreams can matter in public schools.
"Got a chance to talk with Janine Gomez on DesignedToThrive Podcast about how she and her team at I Dream PCS cultivate the brilliance in Black and Brown children. She is nothing short of amazing." ~ Elissa Frazier
I appreciate you for taking the time to listen to Elissa's podcast.
The Save the Lakewood Y Project (2007) began with a group of 4th and 5th graders from Lakewood Elementary School in Durham, NC who decided to organize to save their neighborhood YMCA from closing. It turned into a yearlong movement. Interviews with community members, historical research, fundraising, and attendance at community and political meetings resulted in the Lakewood Y remaining open. Libby Montagne and I cultivated the skills they needed to achieve their dream. These young activists were memorialized in this mural as part of a series to honor Durham's community leaders. Mural by Brett Cook.
 I created Dream Loud & Proud to encourage you to pursue your dreams and embrace the challenges. You've heard pieces of my life story and how I was called to create I Dream PCS. In this new Dreaming is Power series, you will hear the stories of other loud & proud dreamers who are answering the call to live their destinies. Our first loud & proud dreamer is Fly Zyah. Fly Zyah is a young emcee and songwriter whose star is clearly on the rise. She is an activist committed to using her gift of rap to change the world. A few days ago, I talked with Fly Zyah about her gifts and the power of her dreams. Listen as she kicks off our conversation with a few bars from her inspiring song, "Keep Your Head to the Sky", then proceeds to share her wisdom with all of you. Photo: Fly Zyah and her sister, Morghan. Morghan is an I Dream PCS learner.
Black Violin's song, "Dreamer" sums up who Fly Zyah is, a grounded young woman and a true believer in her dreams. I dedicate this song to Fly Zyah, and to all of you. Keep dreaming! I'm blessed to live this life. I've been hurt or betrayed by friends, loves, and family, but, for the most part, my life has been free from personal trauma. The impact of white supremacy and being African-American in this country has done the most damage to who I am. In this post, I share two racist events I internalized and what I did to heal from the trauma and clear the path to my full being. Many of you have or are enduring experiences I cannot imagine. May my story inspire you to take action to heal and clear your path to wellbeing. The path to your calling. Also, learn how I Dream PCS embeds trauma-sensitive practices into our school culture to create a safe space for learners, families and staff to thrive.
1st Place Winner, Connecticut State Oratorical Contest, 1976 An early trauma that needed healing to clear my path.
Trauma shapes who we are. I heard someone say on one of my binge-watching shows that our traumatic experiences are "the fence posts on which our lives our strung." Those experiences create limiting beliefs, as our brains makes sense of the pain. I healed the limiting beliefs that block the path to my calling with the help of Erika Totten, Spiritual Life Coach. Erika taught me that pain lives in our bodies, feeding on the limiting beliefs about ourselves and our need to relive the trauma through other experiences. Once we identified the limiting beliefs and the trauma at the roots, she taught me spiritual tools to release the beliefs I was chained to and replace them with awareness of my strength and the ability to step into my power. When you're ready to do this transformative work, seek professional help. You don't need to do it alone.  Wellness is a value, not an afterthought, at I Dream PCS. The anecdote to the affects of trauma is relationships in a safe space. At I Dream PCS, a Zen Zone (see photo) provides a relaxing space for learners to start their day or reset during class time with a caring adult. Coaches and our Support Specialist speak regularly with families to build relationships and ensure basic needs are met. They connect families to resources when appropriate. Our partnership with Connected Psychology offers mental health support for learners and families. Our Wellness Consultant from 11:11 Wellness collaborates with school leaders to incorporate wellness practices into school meetings, professional learning plans, and social outings. At I Dream, well-being in community enables us all to heal, dream, learn and become. Dream Loud & Proud is now a Facebook page to create dialogue and sharing in this community of dreamers. Click here to join the conversation.
A job you can quit, a dream you can give up on, but a calling will chase you forever... ~Unknown  Mural by Eduardo Korba Dream Loud & Proud is now a Facebook page to create dialogue and sharing in this community of dreamers. Click here to join the conversation.
This post is dedicated to Syr'Riyah, Monica, Savannah, Jordan, Jackie & Lea of GALS NC. Continue to question what you're on this planet to do and to become. You are powerful. Stay inspired. If you feel insignificant, you better think again Better wake up 'cause you're part of something way bigger You're part of something way bigger Bigger than you Bigger than we Bigger than the picture they framed us to see But now we see it And it ain't no secret, no Understand the truth 'bout that question in your soul Look up, don't look down then watch the answers unfold Life is your birthright They hid that in the fine print Take the pen and rewrite it ~Excerpt from "Bigger" by Beyonce', lyrics by Raye & Stacy Barthe  Dream Loud & Proud is now a Facebook page to create dialogue and sharing in this community of dreamers. Click here to join the conversation.
"Your very existence is wrapped up in the things you are here to fulfill."
~ Chadwick Boseman Do you have a dream? Is it growing like a seed inside of you? Do you find yourself struggling and frustrated because how you're living now is not what you were created to do or to be? In, "Dream Loud & Proud", I'll share personal stories about pursuing my dreams and the creation of I Dream PCS. Quotes, poems, videos, and stories of visionaries of all ages who pursued and achieved their dreams can also be found here. Dream Loud & Proud is a space for you to connect with a community of dreamers and visionaries just like you. My goal is to inspire you to take a step toward pursuing your dream. It's through this pursuit that you will find your purpose and grow into who you are here to become. It can be a hard road, but it's why you're here at this moment in time. The world needs your gifts. Dream Time @I Dream PCS inspires young learners to dream. Learn more about Dream Time by visiting Our Model page. Donate to I Dream PCS |
AuthorJanine Gomez Archives
January 2021
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