Dare to Dream

I believe that everyone has a dream for their life. A special place they would like to be at somewhere in the future. It could be a location, a certain career, owning a certain something, making a difference in the community, learning a new skill, or it could be some of these things combined.

Many people keep this dream hidden deep inside of them. We don’t want to share it because we don’t know what others will think of it. We don’t want to look foolish in the eyes of others for dreaming “too big” or being “unrealistic”.

When we were little our teachers and parents wanted us to dream big and believe that we could accomplish anything we put our minds too. But as we grew and matured those hopes started to dissipate. We started to hear and believe the negative words of others, those that told us we might want to try another direction, something safer or more secure.

In school we took skills and aptitude tests to help us know type of career path we should consider. My test always came out that I should have a secretary-type job. And there is nothing wrong with that type of job. I have worked in these positions and enjoy a lot of aspects of them. This is a job that I can excel in, but not a job that I am passionate about. But our schools had us take these tests over and over and somewhere in there we continued on the path that was provided for us instead of following the path that leads us to our dreams.

Maybe self-doubt crept in and told you that you couldn’t accomplish your dream and that you shouldn’t waste your time. Or maybe another person told you that. Maybe you don’t think you have the financial means or the education to make it happen. So we find other things to do with our life and deep down keep dreaming.

Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires… courage.

–Ralph Waldo Emerson-

The other day my mom asked me what it was I wanted in life. That is a very personal question. We all have our own answer to that question and if you are like me you don’t want to speak it out loud. But when it comes down to it, why not speak it? Why not say, this is something that I want to work towards and then not let others discourage us away from it?

I want to start making different decisions in my life and doing things in a way that will help me reach my dream instead of staying stuck in the rut of life. So, I told her…

This is a picture that hangs on the wall of my living room. It has been there for over 8 years in a black wood frame made by my dad (looks similar to the frame in this picture). I love this picture. I dream of this being the front porch of my house. After a long day I dream of sitting on this porch in a rocking chair with my husband next to me, drinking lemonade, and watching our 3 daughters run around the yard. I can even hear the sound of their laughter as they play. My husband and I talk about the events of our day as we relax in the gentle breeze. I can smell the flowers in the hanging baskets. We sit, and we talk, and we take in the view of our family and land.

That is my dream and now it is out there for all to see. And, you know what? It feels good!