Dream.

Josh Walker
Aug 22, 2017 · 5 min read

For so long, I’ve waited to bring my writing specifically under Medium. Some of these posts are a little older, but they still hold value in this story.

I’ve been waiting to write. I don’t know why, but I kept my hands away from pen and paper, anxious fingers held from the keyboard. But no more I say.

It’s time to let you in. Yes, you.

This next season is one that I’ve been acting wasn’t going to happen. But here I am, typing out randomness and finally realizing that I’m going to do what I’ve feared for years and years.

I’m going to….

More on that in another piece.

I’m here to chat about dreams.

But not mine. Cause I could do that all day, but I’d rather talk about my friends.

First, comes Jamice. Jamice is my best friend. Has been for years. He’s a storytelling, camera carrying, Wawa loving, music jamming goofball who tells me about five times a day that I’d better never leave West Palm Beach. But that’s coming to an end. Jamice has a dream to tell stories (and so much more, but I can’t give it all away). I know so many people say that, but in my travels, I still have yet to meet someone with the potential to tell the visual stories of the world like he can and could. Jamice is that guy who can dream anywhere if you give him just a few feet of space, a camera, and a good attitude. He’s joyful beyond measure, and his Instagram Stories are the best. Just go watch a few.

Next is Anthony. He loves people…and God…and t-shirts. We met in a random moment in a Starbucks near downtown just over three years ago and we’ve never looked back. Certain people know him as BLCKRC (or Black Rice). That’s his company. Anthony dreams to create beautifully simple products that feed people in need and love people with everything he has. If you ever see Anthony in person, know that he loves you, and he’d probably love to say hello.

Then there’s Shane. I could write paragraphs upon paragraphs about this guy. But he’s the fastest moving friend, barista, sous-chef (in training) that I have in my life. He’ll fly right by you, but he always returns with a hug or a hi-five and a stoked smile. Shane dreams of building places for people to connect over food, drink, and probably football. I have no doubt that he’s going to do it…and it will be awesome. If you see Shane, ask him about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and prepare for a long conversation.

Let me tell you about Shane’s current employer, and our friend, Sean. Sean is that guy. “What’s that guy?” you ask? Well, that guy is the one who happens to be living his dream out right now. Subculture Coffee is my favorite coffeeshop on earth, and it’s Sean’s handiwork. It’s a beautiful space that exists to connect people with other people in a way that allows for relationships to be formed. And boy has it done that…But that’s not the only awesome thing about Sean. He dreams up new ways to open his arms, brain, home, and business to anyone who is in need. If you see this super cool bald dude step into Sub, make sure to give him a hug, I can promise he’ll give you one back.

Ohhh, and then there’s Imani and Jen. I’ll separate the two in a second, but telling you about them together just feels right. They make every…single…damn…person that they meet feel valued and seen. They are gifted creatives, and not just in one thing.

Imani takes photos of the coolest bands you’ll ever see. Oh, and she’s a social media wizard. It’s obvious to anyone that meets Imani that she dreams of creating a life and career that allows for her skills to be used, but lives out connection in the fullest form. Her hope of seeing people filled with love and purpose has no match. If you ask to sit and have a genuine conversation, buckle up, she’s going to say “yes”, that I can tell you.

Jen, well Jen is one of a kind. She’s the person who just looks like they’ve never been mad in their entire life. You crack her open, and realize you wasted time because she was wearing her heart on her sleeve the whole time. She is a lover of people to the core, and a creator by soul. I can’t tell you even a smidgen of Jen’s dreams because she thinks bigger than so many. She always says how she just wants to make awesome products, help awesome people, write beautiful words, and heal broken hearts. Funny thing, she’s already doing all of that…and some.

Hear that? That’s the Helmsmen, Jesse, Derek, Jacob, Micko, and Sam. They’re the coolest band that most of the USA sadly hasn’t heard yet. They’ve known me since I moved to Florida back in 2014, and I could go on about how these guys are some of favorites…and they play amazing music…and one day I’m going to get them to perform at my wedding…and so much more. But I’d rather tell you how these guys are some of the coolest dreamers in my life. They take their time on projects and they think through how to love each other and make cool jams at the same time. As some bands grow apart, these guys have dreamed in together, even as life has looked different for each of them.

Then there’s…

Aaron, who dreams of being a world class CMO (and currently is) and living his best life in the future of virtual reality.

Andy, who has never let go of his love of creating beautiful “things”, whether it’s a product, brand, building…(and if I’m being honest, has already done most of those things several times over).

Tom, who will grace the biggest music stages one day just jamming out the bass and dancing the night away.

Ana, who has always just wanted to be able to laugh uncontrollably at work, while also managing to explore the world, drink lots of wine, and meet new friends.

Scott, who dreams of building world class businesses and products that solve / streamline serious problems within places like the automotive industry.

Bethany, my sister, who is still dreaming and dreaming again, but one day desires to work with a place that doesn’t just “help” people, but also changes the places where it’s based at.

Ronnie, who is living out his dream of building a multi-cultural church in a place that has been long forgotten in our city. He’s the man. No, for real, Ronnie is the man.

Ricky, who wants to (and already does) bring “good back to the hood” and so much more.

Mike, who wants to build dope apps, make awesome beer, and hang with cool people.

Will, who wants to design until his hands hurt, then sleep, and do it all again.

And so many more…that I wish I could tell you about. One day I will.

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Josh Walker

Written by

I’m going to die for the dream. | Helping companies and professionals tell good stories and grow. | Creator of @HugsAndStories & @BrighterFire

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