Field of Dreams, Langston Hughes, and a Writer's Retreat

The CULTIVATE Retreat with The Way Back to Ourselves is June 22-23 in Winston-Salem, NC

“The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now.”

CHINESE PROVERB

“The best time to cultivate a dream is twenty years ago. The second best time is now.”

KIMBERLY PHINNEY

Photo by Marcelo Matarazzo on Unsplash

A FIELD FOR DREAMING

1.

I was mostly a 90’s kid like many of you, so Field of Dreams got some major play in my home growing up. I didn’t really understand the themes back then or why Kevin Costner’s character was so moody, but I get it now… because I watched it again last night with a fresh set of eyes as I searched for inspiration and the confirmation that wild dreams do come true—even if it’s only in fiction.

Like you, I have often heard a certain seven-word phrase, one we’ve all come to associate with Field of Dreams, beat in my ear or be referenced in popular culture:

“IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME.”

We’ve all gotten a good laugh out of this sometimes-cultural-cliche-catchphrase.

My husband likes to whisper this to himself every now and again as he raids the kitchen for a midnight snack or is topping off a huge taco with even more hot sauce. In a low chuckle, I’ll hear him say, “If you build it, they will come…” right before taking a huge bite of whatever goodness he’s whipped up.

All of the laughter aside—because my husband is hilarious… and so are these memes—I have to be honest: I’ve been thinking about these seven words in a more serious way over the past few days because I have done something—something some might call FAITHFUL—something others might call CRAZY…

Let’s just say I am having my own Kevin Costner moment!

2.

Before I get to the faithful/crazy/What did I do? part of the story, I need to pause to reflect on what this seven-word mantra has meant to me and why dreaming and then acting on our dreams is such an essential practice.

So, I’ll say what you all are thinking: “Chasing a dream is scary!” And “What happens if I fail?” Or another favorite: “What if people think I’m crazy?" And to that, as a woman who recently faced my own mortality in a big way, I would answer “YES, it is.” and “Who cares?” and “So what!”

And then—because I need to give this very pep talk to myself as a writer, dreamer, and multi-hyphenate serial entrepreneur who just did something a little unexpected—there are two FAR MORE important questions we aren’t asking when it comes to chasing our crazy, wild, and slightly unhinged dreams that we ABSOLUTELY should be asking:

1. What will happen to us if we DON’T chase our dreams?

2. And if we DO chase our dreams, what if it ALL works out?

Ever the English professor and poet, I think a little poetry can provide an answer to question number one, and Langston Hughes is just the poet to answer it for us:

DREAMS
by Langston Hughes

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

DREAM DEFFERRED 
by Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over—
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?

3.

So, anyway… I don’t really think I can add to these lines. I mean, it’s Langston Hughes for crying out loud. But I will ask you (and me) this:

In old age, which will be easier for you to live with? Dead dreams you never allowed to see the light of day? Or lived dreams that you took a big chance on—no matter how small, flawed, or crazy they were?

I know my answer.

For question two, I will refer back to Field of Dreams.

Spoiler alert: Kevin Costner’s character listened to the whispers and followed their leading. He built the baseball field among the cornhusks, and everything he ever needed and wanted CAME TRUE!

In the end, Costner found purpose, provision, and much-need healing.

So, what happens if you listen to the stirrings of your heart, the voice of God, or the whispers in the cornfield? What if you act and things happen? What if you leap and a net appears? What if you BUILD IT, AND THEY COME?

What if?

What if?

What if it ALL works out?

It’s a risk worth living with over the alternative.

When it comes to loving, living, writing, and building baseball fields in Iowa, wouldn’t you rather look over your shoulder and see that you DARED TO BE? That you said “YES”? That you took WILD chances? That you danced live NO ONE was watching?

I mean really??

I know that’s where I am.

And it’s a little crazy, I know.

But God is moving and nudging and stretching and pulling at my once tightly stitched together seams. He’s no longer satisfied with my “playing it safe.”

So, I must ask you more questions:

What’s calling you now? What whispers do you hear? What vision is keeping you up at night?

Won’t you answer?

MY CRAZY DREAM

And so, without further ado, I’d like to introduce you to my “IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME” DREAM:

THE CULTIVATE RETREAT with The Way Back to Ourselves.

“They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

JEREMIAH 17:8

Come make history with us at our FIRST-EVER creative arts retreat! Because… YOU BELONG HERE!

Get in on this EARLY BIRD SPECIAL now through April 30. Tickets are $225 May 1-June 15. Come to Winston-Salem, NC with us!! Meet faithful writers, artists, and leaders and CULTIVATE faith, community, and craft at the GORGEOUS Reynolda Estates, Barn, and Village. Walk forest-lit paths, enjoy writing in gardens, shop in the village, tour the museum, and connect with like-minded souls during this beautiful 2-day retreat. Enjoy workshops on writing craft, publishing, healing, soul care, and more! Meet authors and TWBTO family, buy books and art, and participate in the open mic! Bring a friend!!

Details and agenda to come soon as we have our line-up. More details will be posted here as they come available. A welcome package with all kinds of information will be emailed to you once details determined and your ticket is purchased. *Due to the nature of this event, all tickets are nonrefundable.

The retreat cost covers the 2-day workshop only. Travel, hotel, dining, and shopping plans are made on your own and are not included in the retreat cost. Please see details and links below for information on the venue, hotels, flights, shopping, etc.

Best airport to fly into: Greensboro, NC Airport is closest at only about 35 minutes to the venue and hotels.

The Reynolda Estates: Home - Reynolda (This is the location that holds our venue.)

The Barn: The Barn at Reynolda Village | A Winston-Salem Event Venue (reynoldabarn.com) (This is our venue inside Reynolda Estates.)

The Best Hotel Choice: Graylyn Estate Hotel & Conference Center | Home Page | Official Site (Book your own stay at the hotel down the street with 4-minute drive and 15-minute walk. This is where many of us will lodge.)

Other Hotels:

Winston-Salem Hotel | Courtyard Winston-Salem University (marriott.com) (7-minute drive)

Best Western Plus University Inn |Winston Salem NC Hotel Rooms (7-minute drive and great on budget)

Driving Service: GSO Greensboro Airport transportation - ABC Door2door Limos & Chauffeured luxury car service

So, what are you waiting for? Come join us!

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE: TWBTO CULTIVATE RETREAT: June 22-23 in Winston-Salem, NC — THE WAY BACK TO OURSELVES (thewayback2ourselves.com)

Bring a friend!!!

Health, budget, or distance keeping you from attending in person?

GET YOUR VIRTUAL TICKETS HERE: TWBTO CULTIVATE RETREAT: Virtual Attendance Option (June 22-23) — THE WAY BACK TO OURSELVES (thewayback2ourselves.com)

“A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is a reality.”

JOHN LENNON

You belong here and at THE CULTIVATE RETREAT,

me