Erma Bombeck famously said, "It takes a lot of courage to show your dreams to someone else." This quote really resonates with me. Last fall, I quit my job as a newspaper editor to put my effort into writing stories that lift up the good in this world. I wrote in my column announcement that "I want to be part of a gentler, kinder world, hopefully for the betterment of our country. Certainly for the betterment of my soul." Since then, I've written about artists, authors, researchers, activists and conservationists. While the world as we know it felt like it was crashing down, I went on a quest to find the people diligently doing good work.

Some of my favorite columns have been about the people standing up for our natural landscapes under the threat of deforestation, mining and development — incredibly brave individuals willing to go all-in on their own dreams of making this world a better place for everyone.

The unexpected part about showing my dreams to others has been the amount of support I've received. When I told my husband that I wanted to write more meaningful content, he said, "Go for it, I've got you." He shouldered that financial burden, and it is no small gesture.

Then, my sister who is a wildlife photographer and lives on the other side of the country agreed to meet me on location in far-away states to supplement my columns with good photography.

Others have welcomed me into their lives, took me hiking and trusted me with their stories. My good friend Suzette told me, "People want to help you." That reminder lives rent-free in my head.

Showing someone your dreams goes beyond the disclosure, and it comes with responsibility. Once you open the door and give someone the opportunity to support you and share in your journey, it's no longer a dream. It becomes real. Manifestation doesn't happen in the vision; it happens in the action.

It takes courage to say out loud exactly what you want. That's when the cliche "careful what you wish for" comes in. Because once someone says, "go for it, I've got your back and I'm cheering you on," that's when it really gets scary because you become accountable to that support.

I am writing this column in the midst of a month of travel. Because I've purposefully written stories that hold space for good, two separate organizations have invited me to experience the ecosystems they are working to protect so I can write about the good work they are doing to preserve it for future generations.

This is the part of the dream I hadn't imagined. It's one thing for your friends and family to believe in you. It's entirely another thing for your work to stand on its own, to be respected by strangers and for people to want to be a part of your work.

Which brings me to you. Every time you read one of my columns, you support the good in this country and the people dedicating their lives to making our world a better place. Thank you for letting me share these dreams with you. I cannot wait to share what's next.

Do you know anyone who's doing cool things to make the world a better place? I want to know. Send me an email at [email protected]. Also, stay in the loop by signing up for her weekly newsletter at WriterBonnie.com. To find out more about Bonnie Jean Feldkamp and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: at Unsplash