As I reach the conclusion of my time with the Goldenwood DreamForum, I find myself reflecting deeply on the journey these past few months. From the outset, for a career-long professional in banking and finance, my aspiration to become a writer and craft my first novel seemed distant, but this forum has given me the structure, encouragement, and space to turn that dream into a tangible goal. It seems like something I can accomplish now, and I now have nuggets of practical wisdom that only come from a combination of community and spiritual reflection. The process of exploring classical Christian ideas and integrating them into a novel has been an enriching experience, allowing me to tap into deeper wells of creativity and purpose. Goldenwood’s DreamForum put structure, language and community around all of that. Also, how the dream intersected with the vision of working with the MacMillan Institute to foster classical Christian education in South Dallas has also become more vivid and purposeful during this time. I now see the potential impact such work could have on underserved communities and the transformative power it holds. I also believe giving back to this community by volunteering and collaborating will undoubtedly feed into my writing process, providing real-world experiences that inspire and shape the themes and narratives of my novels.
Through my writing and collaboration with the MacMillan Institute, I hope to inspire future finance professionals, writers, educators and students by demonstrating the power of classical Christian education and the creative arts as tools for personal and societal transformation. In some ways, my dream is to help others dare to dream. By integrating these values into both my novel and the educational work we do, I am to spark a deeper appreciation for timeless ideas, encouraging students and educators to explore how creativity and faith can shape not only their intellectual pursuits but their broader life missions.
The DreamForum has not only fueled my professional aspirations but has also been instrumental in helping me navigate personal challenges, particularly those involving family dynamics. In many ways this time served as a self-counseling project, to better facilitate how I communicate with others at work, with family, and with myself. Through the reflective exercise and discussions with other members, I’ve gained a stronger sense of how personal growth and professional development are intertwined. Working through these challenges has made me more resilient and has enriched my perspective as I contemplate the themes and characters for my novel.
As I continue to seek discernment in my career, the tools and insights gained from the DreamForum have been invaluable. Whether considering full-time writing or balancing it with other professional endeavors, I now have a clearer vision for how I want my life and work to intersect. The integration of my creative, spiritual and community-oriented goals is no longer just a dream but a path on which I’m walking confidently, thanks to this process.
In closing, this journey has been transformative, and in many ways, it’s really just the beginning. My engagement with the DreamForum has brought clarity not only on my desire to become a writer and marry that with my banking entrepreneurship passions, and to further engage with the MacMillan Institute, but also to how I wish to live and work moving forward. This experience has laid a foundation for growth in both my personal and professional life, and I leave with both a sense of accomplishment and a renewed excitement for the future.
Jared Grabow is one of twelve Dreamers in Goldenwood’s 2024 Dream Forum. This reflection is part of Goldenwood’s #InsidetheDreamPod series. Hear more and connect with Jared at the Dream Forum on November 14th.
About Jared’s Dream, Transformation and Empowerment through the Arts: My life-long passion for the arts took a back seat to more immediate and practical necessities of a job in a bank, a mortgage, and raising two sweet and beautiful kids, which in its own right is very fulfilling. However, the dream to write my first novel has stayed with me. But the dream doesn’t end with the books themselves. I am also seeking a way to give back to the legacy of my childhood teacher who inspired a love for the arts and writing within me. Ms. McMillan founded a non-profit aimed at providing a Christian classical education to lower income families within South Dallas. My dream in is to tell the stories that I believe are put in my heart as an avenue toward cultural transformation and empowerment of vulnerable communities.