I am blessed, but then we all are; we just all tend to forget that fact far too often. We all, also have hidden talents just waiting to be excavated from our souls… from our dreams.
In secret, I continue to nurture the nascent dream – the life’s work entrusted to me for safekeeping – in the sanctuary of my soul.
In quiet moments, such as when I am out by the Superstition Mountains or sitting by the water at Canyon Lake, I literally overflow with excitement at the golden possibilities that still stretch endlessly before me. Often, because happiness is a difficult emotion to “bear” alone, I will later often confide my dreams to my partner, my dearest friends, or my children.
Then the gold starts to show that it was only paint at their lack of enthusiasm hits me as point-blank range. The “for your own good” lectures pour forth:
· You are too old
· You are too ill
· You are too overextended
· You are too poor
· You are too inexperienced
· You don’t have the resources
· You don’t have the talent
· You don’t have the contacts
· It’s one chance in a million this could even work
· You have more important things to do
· This is not you…
Oh really? And just how many dreams have they successfully brought into the world?
Sadly, I have learned, the hard way, to be very careful about confiding my sacred dreams, especially the first trimester after creative conception; the periods referred to as “the dreaming consciousness” prior to conception. Remember, a disgruntled dreamer is a lousy mentor. NEVER seek someone’s advice if you even suspect you will know what they will say. You cannot afford to hear the negative tape again.
Second thoughts have aborted more dreams that all the difficult circumstances, overwhelming obstacles, and dangerous detours fate could ever throw at you. Undermining your “life’s work” by succumbing to someone else’s second thoughts is a sinister, subtle, and seductive form of self-abuse. Few of us are immune to the opinions of others. We need to learn how to dispassionately assess advice, ponder the source, and weigh the opinion. If the information is insightful and is something you hadn’t considered, retain it. If it’s discouraging, let it go; end your conversation politely but firmly. Better yet, in the future, don’t even start it.
The leader of the 1951 Scottish Himalayan Expedition team that scaled Mount Everest urged the dreamer in all of us to take a leap of faith “Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans; that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issue from the decision, raising one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.”
So today, dear reader, commit to discovering, acknowledging, appreciating, owning, and honoring your dreams; the work of your soul and may you know happiness. We are all blessed so take that leap of faith.
