Parents Have Dreams Too

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

      When your children are born, you imagine a wonderful future for them.  Perhaps they’ll be the next Einstein or Michelangelo, or the scientist who finds a cure for cancer.  You encourage your children to explore the world, develop their imaginations, and dream big dreams.  And you do whatever you can to help them reach those dreams.

     What happens to your dreams along the way?  If you’re like most parents, you probably set them aside a long time ago, dismissing them as impractical or unrealistic.  Perhaps you tried to reach your dream once, only to hit a roadblock and you gave up.  Maybe you figure it’s more important to focus on your children now, and you’ll go back to your dream later, once the kids are older, or when you retire.

     Children learn from watching and listening to us.  If we really want to encourage our children to be all they can be, then we need to walk our talk. 

     Yes, it is possible to enjoy some of your dreams, raise your children and pay your bills all at the same time.  In fact, it’s not as hard as you might think.  That’s why I wrote Dream Bigger: Reclaiming a Life of Joy and Ease - to give you the skills and tools you need to make your dreams a reality.

     Look at all the skills you’ve already developed to support your children in exploring their dreams:   

·        patience with the process;

·        absolute faith that everything is possible; 

·        encouragement during the moments of doubt and fear;

·        a helping hand;

·        a listening ear;

·        words of wisdom. 

     How can you apply some of these strengths to your own dreams?

     Give yourself permission to do a little daydreaming this week.  Let your imagination run wild.  Imagining is easy for children them, so spend time with them.  Let them show you how to dream again.

     While you’re at it, why not work on some family dreams too?  Dreams don’t have to cost a lot of money or be complex and difficult.  In fact, they’re about bringing more joy and ease into our lives.  And we can all use more of that, can’t we?

     To boost your motivation, 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.  Join the movement to dream bigger and win prizes to help you make your dream a reality.