In the dream, I was holding a baby at a table outdoors along a street at a festive event. There was a well known minister who was preaching a great sermon as he walked past us up the street. When I tried to stand the baby up on my lap, she was irritable and didn't want to stand because her legs were weak. Then I discovered that her diaper was wet, too. My beloved grandmother, who was sitting next to me, said, "Give me the baby. I'll change her diaper."

When I woke up from this dream I knew that, weak, irritable and wet baby represented the state of my dream. And there are additional interpretations that space want allow in this article.

It seemed I had tried everything to keep my dream and vision of a life- impacting magazine and a great communications and publishing empire alive and healthy but slowly it seemed to be fading. I knew only one thing left to do, which is the first of five steps to reviving and nurturing your dream.

1. Pray intensely. Specifically, pray that love, passion and faith be restored and not lost to any human concepts of failure. Disappointment and rejection can take their toll on a dreamer, just as in the life of Joseph, who after being thrown in a pit, was sold into slavery by his brothers in the 37th chapter of Genesis. Surely, during this trauma he cried to the God of his fathers, who heard him and eventually advanced him to great status, power and authority in Egypt.

2. Take the limits off! This requires dealing with our own demons of doubt, fear and pride. Come clean and be honest with yourself. A dream is always in the state in which the dreamer maintains it or leaves it. God is not limited to our understanding, strategies, and ways of doing things. I discovered that my dream was so huge because it was based on what God could do and not just what I could do. The dream was on target because it was divinely intended to draw me closer to the Dream Giver. There is a battle that takes place between the flesh or natural perceptions and the spirit. In truth, the more we learn to walk by faith (in the Spirit) instead of by sight (the flesh), the more our dreams are nurtured. Because-good or bad-dreams come from the spirit realm.

3. Open up to change and a fresh perspective. Sometimes old approaches do not work in a new season. Research and examine new and more efficient ways to advance your dream. Consider whom you may work with, partner or joint-venture with to realize your dream.

4. Write out your goals with a practical timetable for accomplishing them. Include some tasks or "to dos" that must be done. Stay in forward motion, moving from one step to the next.

5. Passionately pursue your dream but with wisdom and balance. So muster up drive, stir up your desire and go for it! But don't burn yourself out. Even the Lord rested one day. There should be some good living and enjoyment in each phase of advancement toward your dream and vision.

Dreaming is essential for meaningful living and therefore dreams must be nurtured. Just one dream produces hope, vision and multiple possibilities. Remember, the purpose of fulfilling dreams is to prosperously expand our capacity to help others.

About the Writer Ella Coleman is the president of Ellavation Enterprises, Inc. and publisher of Purpose Magazine. Founded by Ms. Coleman in 1989, Ellavation is a media communications and publishing company specializing in innovative radio and television programs and segments, as well as magazine and book publishing consultations. In 1991, after receiving two dreams and a vision of a magazine, she started Purpose, an inspirational, motivational publication, in the basement of her home and in one year moved it to a downtown office in Columbus, Ohio. There Purpose maintained an influential presence, hosting elegant annual community events and functioning as a vehicle for developing, mentoring and providing scholarships for young aspiring journalists. Feel free to contact her at: P.O. Box 906, Temple Hills, MD 20757 or call 614-418-1785. Email: sales@purposemagazine.com