Dream Weaving Article by Julie Wise IT BEGINS WITH A DREAM
The year begins anew this month. Are you filled with eager anticipation for all the wonders, delights and potential ahead? Or are you afraid of looming disaster and disappointment? I like to think of the new year like a big blank canvas. I’m the artist, holding a brush in one hand, a palette of glorious colours in the other, knowing that I can create whatever I wish. Does that sound too fanciful to you? Am I just another dreamer who has no grip on reality, and no understanding of the practical demands you face every day – bills to pay, groceries to buy, car to maintain, dental work for your kids, and credit cards maxed out? What if … you could take care of your practical needs and enjoy some of your dreams as well? We all have dreams for our lives, although we may have tucked them away for “a rainy day” or for “when I retire”. Your dreams don’t just disappear even if you’ve stopped paying attention to them. They continue to whisper to you in your sleep, nudge you during the day, and tug at your heart in unexpected moments. “Come, play with me,” your dream urges. “We could have so much fun together.” But your grown-up practical mind steps in, “You don’t have time for this nonsense. It won’t pay the bills. Get back to work.” And so, with a wistful glance at your dream, you sigh and refocus. What if I told you that allowing yourself to dream again, and taking steps toward one of your dreams, could
reduce your stress level give you greater satisfaction with your life and make you a much more enjoyable person to be around?
Just imagine how much better your relationships would be! And what an inspiring role model you would be for your children! A parent who is enjoying life by pursuing a dream shows, by example, the value of nourishing the heart as well as the mind and body. And then there are all the dreams you can create and explore as a couple or as a family … It all starts with a dream. Your dream. In the quiet moments just before falling asleep, or upon waking, allow yourself to reflect on what you’d love to do this year. If your mind tries to kick in a few unsupportive comments, tell it that you’re just dreaming, so there’s nothing to be afraid of. And as the dream grows, and the pull toward it becomes stronger, take a step or two in that direction. See what you can do to make one of your dreams part of your reality this year!