Thursday, July 16, 2009

Determination Key to Making a Dream Come True

"The boy could see in his father's gaze a desire to be able, himself, to travel the world - a desire that was still alive, despite his father's having had to bury it, over dozens of years, under the burden of struggling for water to drink, food to eat, and the same place to sleep every night of his life." - The Alchemist

Some people have dreams and visions that have been put aside or on the shelf. They may have dreamed of seeing the pyramids in Egypt, starting a new business or career, going back to school, or maybe learning to play a musical instrument.

But the great distractions of life come into play. Paying rent and bills, mountains of debt accruing, going through a divorce, having kids to care for, losing a loved one, economic hardships and numerous other things tug for attention and pull many away from their dream. The dream and the aspirations that go with it are lost like a forgotten treasure buried in a field.

Others don't forget the dream but give up on the notion that it is attainable. The dream itself is good enough for them. To actually go after their dream is frightening because it might mean dissappointment.

Determination

Yet there are those who do not give up on their dreams despite the obstacles. They know that fear must not deter forward movement toward the dream; and that risk is a part of realizing the goal. They understand that, win or lose, by simply giving their best, the universe will reward their effort. These dreamers are aware that living with no regrets is the secret to contentment and that only few ever come to grasp what this is. They say to themselves, "A life with no regrets is a life well lived." This is their mantra.

It may take them years to achieve their goals, but step by step they inch closer. These are the dreamers with a purpose. These individuals know that when someone really wants something "all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it."1

Second Chances

Whether you have buried your dream or not (if you don't wait too long) you can always grab a shovel and start digging. But the journey will take longer and be harder. When one starts to believe (whether for the first time or the 90th time) hope rises in the heart. This is the secret ingredient to dreams coming true. What is destined will not be lost unless you change your destiny.

Black Dreams

But for happiness to be found one must not neglect the things God has entrusted into his or her life. Children, family, married life, a special calling, or a divine talent must not be compromised or else regret will take root. The dream whether achieved or not will turn black. For example, many have achieved their dream but have lost their marriage or their relationship with their children suffers dramatically as a result. Dreamers with a purpose know that happiness is derived from taking good care of what they have been entrusted with and also by moving closer to their dream. They learn to hold tightly with one hand what they have been entrusted with and in the other hand to not let go of their dream. The result is balance and harmony - not having neglected the light in their life. This keeps the dream shining bright and reflecting its light for the universe to see.

May you get in touch with your heart and your dreams and move toward making them reality. May you remember to move forward despite the obstacles; and most importantly learn to hold on to what life has already handed you that is precious.

1. Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist, New York, Harper Collins, 1993.

PHOTO CAPTION: Above photo of pyramids courtesy of Photos8.com.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the sweet little comment on my blog. You write really well and I was definitely inspired by this...sometimes I feel as the realistic dreamer, who dreams but doesn't actually think her dreams will come true and is afraid to go after them in case of disappointment.
xoxo,
Micaela