Captivating Dreams

by Julie Wise, Life and Relationship Coach and Author of Dream Bigger: Reclaiming A Life of Joy and Ease (available online at Amazon)

      Are you a dream, or a doer?  Dreamers take a bad rap in our society and are often seen as hopeless romantics with their heads in the clouds and no grasp of reality.  Doers, on the other hand, are praised as people who make things happen.

     Is it possible to be both?  I believe so.

     People I interviewed for my new book, Dream Bigger: Reclaiming a Life of Joy and Ease, are dreamers who have made their dreams a reality.  Just like you and me, they were simply living their lives when inspiration hit.  In one case, an American woman was driving down the road listening to a radio interview.  The story she heard moved her to tears, and into action.  She embarked on a journey with her daughter that led across the Atlantic Ocean to Africa where they met with seniors raising their orphaned grandchildren whose parents had died of AIDS.  In spite of having no international experience (and still meeting the demands of a full-time job), this woman is now the volunteer executive director for a growing organization that supports three communities in Uganda.

     Dreams are like that.  They capture our attention and won’t let go until we take steps toward them.  They also aren’t daunted by age, background, experience, education, or financial resources. 

     Of course, we all have lots of reasons why we can’t possibly follow our dreams – no time, no money, too many family responsibilities, job demands and so on.  The biggest obstacle is usually fear.  What would happen if you followed your dream?

     More importantly, what will happen if you don’t? Have you ever considered the price of not listening to your heart?

     I certainly paid that price at one point in my life.  By setting my dreams aside, I closed off a piece of myself.  Something vital was lost and, over time, I became angry, frustrated and miserable.  I blamed it on stress at work or at home, but the real cause was inside me.  I had to hit bottom, experiencing a lengthy illness, divorce, nearly running out of money and becoming isolated from friends and family before I finally got the message.

     It doesn’t have to be that way.  Life is meant to be enjoyed, not endured.  So if you’re not enjoying your life right now, it’s time to make some changes.  For starters, check out the “Dream Bigger Reinvention Challenge” at http://www.dreambiggercontest.com  before November 29, 2010 and find out how people across North America are reinventing themselves and their lives.  Get inspired and then take one step toward your dream today!