Dream it, believe it, plan for it, and then expect it!

 

When people truly believe in what they are doing and are totally committed to the reasons for their journey, their project or their purpose, then it is time for action. Whether from a community or individual point of view, if we truly believe in the reason we are doing something, expecting the desired outcome is essential in making the dream and plan a reality.

I was watching a movie recently that told the story of the mid 1800s construction of a railroad across the treacherous terrain of the Alps in southern Europe.  Train tracks over and across the Alps between Venice, Italy and Vienna, Austria were built long before there was even a train in existence that could make the trip. They built the tracks anyway because they knew that, someday, a train would come. They had a dream, believed in it and moved past the believing part and began expecting the results they had worked and dreamed so hard to achieve. Eventually the train came.

We need to get that If we build it they will come attitude and expect that train to come roaring down the tracks.

Two of this community’s greatest assets are its seemingly endless supply of artistic and creative citizens and its incredible heritage. One of the original goals of the BetterWay Initiative has always been to accentuate those assets by transforming downtown Donalsonville’s historic fire house into a centralized show place housing activities and events designed to enhance the community’s quality of life – today and tomorrow – by showcasing the community’s creativity with a fine art gallery and preserving and promoting the community’s past through the creation of a Seminole County Historical Museum.

Establishing a permanent home for a fine arts gallery and shows, a place to hold cultural activities for all ages, wide open spaces for displaying and promoting this community’s history and an event venue for the things we have not even thought of yet  is something, somehow we have to do. It is a good idea.

The opportunity is right there in front of us – sitting vacant on Woolfork Avenue right in the middle of downtown Donalsonville. The transformation of the facility into the one of our dreams is indeed a monumental task but it is not impossible. We just have to dream it, believe it, plan for it and make it happen.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be strong enough to pick up a car? You probably think that job is best left to superheroes. Well, let’s think again. What if you had 20 or 30 people all picking up the car together? Isn’t that a little more in the realm of possibility?

And while you’re thinking about what is possible with a group of 20 or 30 people, let’s take it a step further – what if you multiplied that number by two or three? In other words, what if you had several groups working together on the same issues? The possibilities are endless.

Let’s face it – solving problems and making progress in communities can seem daunting at times. In Seminole County there are countless individuals, groups and organizations, and each is tirelessly working to make our home an even better place to live. There is real strength in numbers. When you have many groups with different views, resources, and skills applying their intelligence and strength to solve a problem together, the results can be like the work of superheroes.

If we want the dream of transforming the vacant firehouse into something special to succeed, we will need the cooperation, and better yet, the help of everyone who will benefit from a good outcome.  The important thing is to make sure that everyone – every group and every organization – knows they have a real say in an effort that could positively affect their lives in ways we haven’t even thought of yet.

There is power in numbers. If we build it they will come. Let’s work together and make it happen.

Comments and impressions are welcomed and

requested at david@donalsonvillenews.com