Create a Dream Binder for Someone You Love or Yourself, Part I

Recently, I came up with a big idea: creating a binder of goodies that supports the dream of someone you love. I'm all for homemade gifts… and letting a friend or family member know their dream is supported is just about the best gift anyone can give. (Think Graduation, Mother's Day, birthday … or just make one for that other best friend - yourself!)

Here's an example.

My daughter Teal has a big dream of being a country singer. Teal has a great voice and has been performing pretty much non-stop since she was about 6. And she spends a considerable amount of time every day simply singing … sometimes for hours at a time. So for her 15th birthday, I made her a Dream Binder.

A Dream Binder is a great big book of support for any dream. Teal's Binder included photos of her favorite country singers and stories of how they got discovered. Plus I included information on contests, contacts at local radio stations, inspirational quotes for down days, helpful Web resources, and worksheets on things like keeping track of key contacts and planning next steps.

Her Dad, her brother, her godmother, her friends and I also added fun, mushy letters of support for her dream. And they also added more elements of their own, so the Dream Binder became a family effort.

What's really great about these Binders is that you only start them. The recipient then takes the binder and can keep on adding lots of support pieces as his or her dream builds steam. (Hence the need for loose leaf in the back.)

So who do you know whose dream needs a boost… beginning with you? I invite you to make lots of dream binders and share them with your fellow dreamers. They're easy and truly fun to make.

I'll post more tomorrow on just what the dream binder should include. If you'd like a template to work with, drop by my website and pick up your own copy of my Create Your Own Dream Binder kit. (You'll also get my excellent ezine, The Joy Letter, too.) It's all free … and it's all good.

Comments

[Elizabeth Rhymer]

This is a great idea, Suzanne! I recommend Avery Rip-Proof Reinforced Sheets (available at Staples.com -- and elsewhere I'm sure) because it is heavy weight, unlined paper and is reinforced on the three-hole-punched edge with a clear film. I use this paper for my recipe notebook and I've never had a sheet pull out.

I enjoy your blog very much and read it whenever it's updated. Thanks for all the support and inspiration!