Hi, this is Sophia Cartman, host of Dream Big Podcast Show, a place to learn, laugh, and grow.
Big dreamers, let me tell you a moment I'd never forget.
One that started with butterflies in my stomach and ended up with a surprise I'd never see coming.
You see, I recently walked into my first real art class.
The kind with easels, pastels, and students who have been drawing for months.
And one very blank sheet of paper staring right back at me.
Even though I'd mentioned trying art before, this time it was different.
Because this time I had to decide if I would let my fear stop me or pick up a pencil and draw anyways.
This is episode 455 of the Dream Big Podcast.
And it's time to dream big.
Welcome back, big dreamers.
When I first walked into the studio, my heart was beating faster than usual.
My friends were already there, sketching with confidence.
Their lines looked clean, detailed, like they belonged in an art gallery.
Me?
I had never drawn more than a stick figure with sunglasses.
And a part of me whispered, what are you doing here?
You're not an artist.
But then something inside of me maybe it was curiosity, maybe courage, maybe something else said so what if I'm not?
Maybe I just haven't found out yet.
So, I sat down.
I listened and when the teacher handed me a reference image, it was a glowing sunset with a dolphin leaping across the horizon.
I gave it a shot.
At first, my lines were shaky.
I wasn't sure which colors to put, and my dolphin looked like a banana.
But then...
The more I focused, the quieter that nervous voice became.
And then, something happened.
I forgot I was scared.
I got lost in the colors, and the motion of the waves, and the light reflecting off the ocean.
By the end of the class, I looked down.
And there it was.
A sunset, a dolphin, and not a banana. and ocean waves dancing in purple, orange, and gold.
My teacher came over.
She smiled.
Beautiful, she said.
And then I realized, I did it.
You can actually see that drawing, my Hawaiian dolphin sunset, in the artwork for this episode.
Was it perfect?
Nope, but it was mine.
And it taught me something I'd never forget.
Big dreamers.
People think courage means being fearless.
But then I learned courage is doing something even when you're scared.
And even if it doesn't turn out well.
Famous people do this too.
Did you know that Lady Gaga used to freeze up before performing?
Or that Vincent van Gogh, one of the most famous painters ever, only sold one painting in his entire lifetime.
Or that Dwayne, the Rock, Johnson, said he failed so many times before he ever felt strong.
They all had their moments where they could have let fear stop them.
But they showed up anyway.
That's courage.
And when I think about the art class, I didn't just learn how to draw.
I learned how to say yes to myself.
Well, big dreamers, here's what I learned.
Number one, you don't need to know how.
You just need to start.
Number two, what seems scary might become your favorite thing tomorrow.
And number three, trying something new doesn't make you weak.
It makes you brave.
We can wait and wonder forever.
Or we can try.
And that one try, that one, why not?
It might just become a masterpiece.
This week, I have a special challenge for you.
Choose one thing you've been afraid to try.
It could be a class, a club, even a conversation, anything.
And instead of saying, I'm not ready, I'm not going to try, I don't want to do this.
And instead say, I'm going to do it.
Because that's where the magic starts.
And you can tell us all about it.
Remember, you can write to my mom, Olga at dreambigpodcast.com.
Or tag us on social media.
As always, the show notes will be at dreambigpodcast.com slash 455.
And make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Just search up Dream Big Podcast Kids.
Big Dreamers.
Remember, you don't have to be perfect to be proud.
And the only way to discover magic is to try.
That's all for today, big dreamers.
This is Sophia Cartman reminding you that you have unlimited potential.
Your dreams are not optional.
You need to make them essential.
So take massive action to those big dreams and jolly.
Live with passion the way life is meant to be.
See you next episode.
Bye.