At the Crossroads of Dreams and Reality

September 12, 2018

There comes a moment in time when you come to crossroads. For me, it was the moment I read a letter I wrote to myself eight/nine months ago.  It has been my most recent spiritual, professional, and educational crossroads. I had two paths: Stay stagnant or make a change.

For nearly six months, I remained stagnant. I had not touched my dissertation. To be honest time was on my side, but the time allotted was not a good fit. The time I had tended to be late at night or when I was tired (or both). My other challenge was my full-time job required me to bleed more time at home for work. (And I justified my behavior because the job supported a great humanitarian mission.) In my effort to support a great mission, my own opportunity divide was growing. Then, I thought back to my Kwanzaa "vision board.”

At the end of Kwanzaa (December 2017/January 2018) my family and I created vision boards of things we wanted to see in 2018.  There were a lot of things on my vision board like getting a replacement vehicle, reading Psalm 23 daily, knocking out debt with a plan, getting in better shape, eating better, my dissertation, and teaching more (at colleges) and preaching (teaching about Jesus) more. Of all the things I put on my board, my dissertation was one that felt like a thorn in my side. To take care of this thorn, I had to rearranged my life.  I quit my job and have accepted eight (8) classes within multiple districts as adjunct faculty for the fall.  I have even signed up to do some virtual advising.  It might sound like a lot, but l do not want to miss my shot!

My window of time to complete my dissertation is shrinking. If I don’t get it done soon, I’ll have to start over.  It's dissertation or bust. I have had a lot of detours. None of that matters now!  It’s time to focus on getting the dissertation done or fail.  When it's all said and done, a lot of what I put on my vision board was rooted in faith. I know Jesus has built me to overcome this challenge.  Even before this new attempt of this journey began, He was already doing things to let me know risking so much will be worth the wait; I get to give Him Glory when it is done.  It’s dissertation or bust...it's walk in faith or bust.  I chose to align my faith in what is yet to come rather than focusing on my self-doubt and fear of failure.

So, for the first time in awhile, I know what I'm living for.  Currently, I am teaching at several colleges, working for a start-up, and a non-profit. I am humbled that so many organizations have sought my skills in such a short amount of time.  These opportunities are giving me the right kind of time to work on my dissertation and the right time to be active at home.  Now I have to be cautious and not let the visions of others distract me from my own. I don't know what's next; there is a lot of uncertainty. In the midst of my ambiguity, I am certain I am getting closer to my purpose...that is worth the undetermined!

At the end of September, beginning of October 2018 I begin (again) #ProjectDissertation.  If I am being honest, I cannot be successful without the financial help from others.  For those who have helped me take classes thus far, I thank you.  For those who have prayed (and continue to pray), I thank you. 

I am nearly halfway to raising the funds I need to complete my dissertation.  If you are interested in helping, here are the three ways you can assist me financially, below are the three ways you can help...

Option #1:  

Option #2:  paypal.me/ProjectTheCure

Option #3:  If you would like to support me via mail, please contact me at EnvisionYourSuccessDFW@gmail.com

I look forward to celebrating the victory of completing this dissertation in 2019.

Sincerely,

Elgrie Jones Hurd III
-Grand Canyon University Doctoral Candidate, General Psychology - Industrial and Organizational Psychology Emphasis