Five Essential Keys for Unlocking the Door to Your Dreams

I have been a part of Dan Miller's 48 Days Eagles Community for over two years and the impact it's had on my life is significant. 

The most recent development came from a connection I made at an Eagles' event I attended in Franklin, Tennessee, back in April. It was there that I met Isaiah Taylor, a literary scout who learned that I was writing a book about my journey with Christmas. I had been planning to self-publish my story so I wasn't seeking a publisher, but he encouraged me to submit my manuscript to a publisher. I walked away from that conversation feeling somewhat intrigued, and rather doubtful. 

One thing led to another...

I was recently (and delightfully) surprised to see a post on Dan Miller's Facebook page that mentioned me and my journey, letting the cat out of the bag. Since I have been racking (and wracking) my brain trying to figure out how to share what's been happening and tell everyone the great news, I felt a sense of relief to have it come from someone else's newsfeed. 

I'll let you read the post for yourself:

"For Frances Drost, the journey from dream to reality started in a difficult place—the deaths of two of her siblings. And it took a winding path from a nagging sense of loss to a creative expression of joy and togetherness.

Frances’s annual Christmas show, Portraits of White, began 11 years ago when she started reimagining what it means to be in the holiday spirit after she spent years feeling “disenchanted” with the season. This December, Portraits of White will celebrate a decade of bringing people together through music with the special release of Frances’ forthcoming book.

Whether you’re an artist like Frances or not, her story has a lot to teach us about our dreams.

1: Dreams come from unexpected places

Like many people who have been touched by loss, Frances wondered why Christmas felt so empty no matter how many years went by. One year, Frances even decided to skip Christmas all together!

Frances realized that she felt disconnected from the holiday spirit because of the grief she carried. Instead of continuing to live in that mindset of despair, she decided to turn it into an opportunity to create hope and find peace—for herself and others who have experienced loss.

Frances began writing songs about how she felt during the holiday season, and eventually started dreaming of a Christmas album.

2: Have faith in your dreams

Eventually, that Christmas album came to be. Frances called it Portraits of White and based it on what she discovered reflecting on her disenchantment with Christmas.

“I learned that holidays have a tendency to amplify the loss and the dysfunction that we have. I thought maybe by sharing my own story, I could bring hope to others.”

While the album was successful, Frances also had faith that Portraits of White could be so much more than a collection of songs.

"I had a vision to perform my songs on stage with a full orchestra. I'd never done that before. I'd always traveled as a solo artist. And so I hired a conductor from Nashville. I hired an orchestra. And we sold out the first show that year in 2014!”

3: Dream bigger than yourself

What started as an album by a solo artist trying to process her own grief blossomed into a creative project that brings together musicians and artists from around the country.

If Frances had stopped with her feeling of disenchantment—or even stopped with the album—her life, her business, and the hearts of thousands of audience members over the years wouldn’t be what they are today. Even though the dream for Portraits of White didn’t start with a goal of reaching millions or turning a profit, it grew into something that brought Frances’s goals well within her reach.

4: The path from dream to reality is not always smooth

In 2019, Portraits of White drew over one thousand people. Frances and her team expanded the project to three shows, extending the reach of her message.

And then COVID hit.

Through the turmoil of 2020, Frances persisted in sharing Portraits of White. The show was released as a DVD, bringing her message into the homes and hearts of audiences across the country. She turned what could have been a dead end for Portraits of White into an opportunity for growth.

5: Dreams are rarely accomplished alone

Frances is soon releasing a book telling the story of her journey with Christmas. The current working title of the book is Portraits of White: A Songwriter's Journey to Find Christmas.

“Thanks to the Eagles community and their connections and actually going to the 48 Days Innovate Experience in Franklin, Tennessee in April, I talked to a literary agent from Morgan James, and he encouraged me to submit my story about my journey with Christmas.”

Now Frances is on the final round of edits for the book. With the book release, sponsors, and the support of her community and audience—the 10th anniversary of Portraits of White promises to be the most exciting year since its start.

The Eagles are so proud of Frances and thankful for her continuous, active, involvement in our community. We celebrate and support all kinds of success—from traditional entrepreneurial journeys to artistic projects and more. Each and every one of the Eagles is out to transform lives, make their dreams a reality, and uplift each other along the way.

​Join the 48 Days Eagles Community and see where your dreams will take YOU!: https://www.48days.com/48dayseagles/."

David L. Hancock (Founder and Publisher), Frances Drost (Author), Isaiah Taylor (Literary Scout)
 The Urban Roost in Richmond, VA
June 8, 2023 Publishing Agreement Signed

Shoestring Budgets

What do you do when you have big dreams and a small piggy bank? 

Maybe you have a budget, but it's only the size of a "shoestring". The other day it occurred to me that shoestrings may be small and short, but they hold my shoes together!

It's been over six years since I gathered a group of volunteers, offered to buy them breakfast and asked them if they would help me 'fill the seats' if I pursued my vision for an annual Christmas concert—using an orchestra. 

I really didn't know how I was going to pull it off, but I just kept taking one step at a time. 

These days, when I feel overwhelmed, I remind myself of that magical discipline of simply taking the next step. It's worked all these years.

In those days, I didn't even have the money to buy everyone breakfast but I went ahead and sent out the invitations and reserved the room at Momma Spriggs.  I'd find a way to earn the money to buy their breakfast. I really believed in the dream! Well, most days I did. Other days, I was terrified. 

Portraits of White was just an idea at that point and I knew I'd need help to make it happen. I gathered about 10 people who said they had been touched by my music ministry and told them of my vision while we enjoyed breakfast together. When the day came for our breakfast meeting, I had the money. I said I'd put on the show if they'd spread the word about it and they did. 

After breakfast someone else picked up the tab without me knowing it. They used the excuse that they were going to the bathroom but had actually paid the bill. That was just the start of so many blessings I've experienced along the way as I've walked this road of following my dreams.

So here's a few things you'll need to get started (that don't cost you any money):

1) Clarity 

• Get very clear on what your dream is. (I wanted to offer hope during the holidays using an orchestra).

• Write out ALL your thoughts. On paper. If you had the resources you need, what would your dream look like? (I'm still working at producing what I envisioned years ago. It's ok that it's not ALL of what I envisioned—yet. At least I'm on my way and I'm learning a lot as I go.) 

• If you made a bumper sticker of your dream, what would it say? 

• What's the first (or next) step you need to take toward seeing it come to pass?

2) Ask good questions

• Find a few people (or even just one) who are walking a similar path but are further along than you and ask them good questions. Treat them to coffee or lunch at least. Ok, so that costs a little bit of money, but it's well worth it!

The first year I started Portraits of White, I reached out to Kurt Bestor (via Facebook). Kurt is a musician in Utah with a 25 year track record in doing local Christmas shows with an orchestra. My brother-in-law told me about this event because he had attended a few of the shows and said I should reach out to him. So I did. I sent him one question and wouldn't you know, he answered me! 

That proved to be some of the best advice I have received and it didn't cost me any money. I simply asked him what 5 things he wishes he had known when he started his Christmas show.

As I continue building my dream, I ask more questions.

3) Pray - This is the best thing you can do toward your dream and it doesn't cost a dime.

• Start with setting a timer for 5 minutes a day and take that time to pray about the desires of your heart. You'll need to increase that time as you grow. 

• Ask for divine appointments, resources and wisdom. I often pray: "Father, may your Kingdom come, in my life, in your time, in your way, with your resources."

• This morning I prayed for a box truck. Maybe someday I'll share why.  ;-)

"My child, never drift off course from these two goals for your life:

to walk in wisdom 

and to discover discretion. 

Don't ever forget how they empower you."

Proverbs 3:21 TPT