Dreams are not just for sleeping. They are the hopes and wishes for where our lives will go, what a moment can be, how things will turn out for those we love — you know… DREAMS. What we want and “visualize” for ourselves with all our hearts is not unattainable but understanding that having them and bringing them to life are two different things makes all the difference to and in our lives. It takes movement on our part, often brought on by an inciting incident — very Screenwriting 101, I know. When that happens, understanding that moment that feels like a hurdle is actually motivation and purpose not a detriment can get lost in translation.
“There’s a reason why it’s called chasing your dreams not walking after them.” Shannon Sharpe
So often, we believe — or are made to believe — our dreams are unrealistic fantasies beyond our reach. But our deepest hopes can take wing to become reality with enough focus and, yep, determination. That which motivates us makes us stronger, keeps us vibrant and energized, gives us purpose. Our lives are meant to be lived, not just endured, and having something to look forward to, something to want, keeps us “alive.” It is the forward movement not just sitting back and waiting for things to happen that make all of what we hope for come true.
Add to that the willingness to work for what we want, truly go after it, and our dreams become the stuff of reality. There are things that will come up for you as you do that, obstacles and bumps in the road that can make you want to stop. They can feel out of your reach at some points and you’ll want to just give up. Oh, yes. Been there, done that. What do you do when that happens? What are the tools you pull from to keep yourself going, to continue “chasing your dreams?”
For us, it’s stepping back, calming our minds, reevaluating and allowing ourselves to adjust, if need be. Meditation is huge for us with this — it helps us focus on our intent and release us from getting too stuck in “magical thinking” so we can go after what we want with a clear, open and ready mind. It frees us from that fear that stands in the way of so many when going after what our hearts want: Failure.
“There is just one thing that makes your dream become impossible: the fear of failure.” Paolo Coelho
We can be our own worst enemy, can’t we? If things aren’t going exactly as planned or we’re not achieving something quickly enough, our brain can talk us into and out of anything. The purity of our purpose comes from within and if we want to hit our goal, realize our dream, we need to be willing to roll with the punches and understand that there will be shit hitting the fan from time to time. Nothing goes perfectly. Hurdles will be thrown in our way for us to overcome. If not for the challenges, we can’t appreciate the successes. Corny, perhaps. But immensely true.
Our instincts are our friends in these times. That deep, inner voice will always be on our side when our minds, our logic isn’t. Plans will go awry, no matter how prepared you think you are. Something will and does always happen. It is Murphy’s Law and, just so you know, let’s take a moment to truly understand that concept. Murphy’s Law doesn’t mean anything BAD that can happen, will happen. It truly means, “Anything that CAN happen, will.” And that includes the shit that will hit the proverbial fan just when you least expect it.
Life has had a lot of that lately and continuing to pursue and honor your dreams in times that are difficult is — let’s be honest, shall we? — hard. It’s uncomfortable and pushes you to lengths to hold on to and adjust accordingly that may not be what you had signed up for when you imagined your dreams. Now for the big BUT — just because something happens that puts you off your game, creates a fork in your road that may take you down a path you hadn’t expected, doesn’t mean you are done, out, lost. It just is a moment in time and it may even show you an opportunity you never expected.
“Don’t give up on your dreams, or your dreams will give up on you.” John Wooden (The Wizard of Westwood)
We are imperfect beings. That makes for such possibility, when you think about it. If we were perfect, there would be nothing for us to do but continue on whatever path we’re on. By being quirky, unique, seeking, we are able to expand beyond what we are given and pursue what we want to take. Our dreams are not fantasies… okay, some of them are and that’s okay. Imagination energizes us and opens up our minds to the extraordinary of our world. In terms of the hopes for what we can become, what we wish in our deepest of deepest, these are not beyond us. Even when we don’t think we can move forward, stop, hold on, breathe in, breathe out, visualize and know, what you want matters to you, so don’t give up on it.
Yeah, you may have to adjust, reevaluate, reconsider and in that, we are given even more opportunity for achieving what we hope for. There are times in our lives when we take a look and realize that what we want, what we hope for is showing us a different way to paint the picture in our mind so it will truly come to life. Our dreams feed our souls and make us feel complete. What we wish, what we see for ourselves is valid and worth all of the time and effort we put into it. And if at some point we need to refashion the picture we have in our head, then do it with conviction and purpose — and go for it with the fervor and passion it deserves.
“The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.” Oprah Winfrey
Life is to be lived. Times can get hard and obstacles may arise, but no matter what, the hopes we have in our hearts, the wishes we hold dear make the difficult days possible to overcome. Embrace what you want in life, understand you may need to rework it to bring it to fruition in a new and exciting way at some point, and give yourself permission to pursue. We are on this planet for such a short time. Give yourself the gift of going after what inspires and delights you while you are here.
And you are worth the effort.
