Dreams

One of my favorite poems is “Dream Keeper” by Langston Hughes.  As a teacher, I always made sure to share this poem with my students.  I wanted them to dream big and to know that I would help them keep their dreams safe.  I also wanted them to be aware to guard those dreams.  To protect them from the naysayers, the unbelievers, and the people who had lost the art of dreaming. As a mom, I strive to instill the belief in my kids to reach for the moon, to aim high with their goals.  I know that they may fall to the stars, but at least they will have reached as far as they can. 

What happens, though, to many of our dreams as we grow up? Especially to women? To mothers?  From conversations with many women around me, I’d say there’s a theme of setting dreams aside.  To saying things like “when the kids are older” or “until there’s more money” or even “until the stars align”.  We get so busy taking care of others that we start to forget about ourselves. And dare I ask, how many of us start to think that perhaps that dream we had was just a silly thought?  An impossible goal to reach? Something that was just a mere whim?

While we must adapt to life circumstances, and to face realities of our abilities, I do not believe we can ignore our dreams.  The longings, the tugs, the “if I only could” thoughts need to be listened to.  To be gingerly unwrapped and brought to the light to be examined. 

When we revisit our values and our giftings, we often start to see how the life we are living may not line up with who we truly are meant to be.  This, my friend, creates restlessness and unhappiness.  Even though you may appear to have it all, you feel you have nothing. 

I’d love to talk with you and help you revisit your dreams.  To see what steps you might take to shorten the gap between where you are and where you truly want to be.  Dreams should be protected, but never forgotten.  Together, let’s get you back to dreaming.