Do you remember when you were a young girl? What hopes and dreams did you have? What did you want to be when you grew up? Who did you admire and want to be like?
I wanted to be a teacher. My father made me a homemade chalkboard that I used in my pretend classroom every afternoon. I lined up my dolls and taught them how to spell, do simple calculations and reading basics. I have no idea how many boxes of chalk I went through! Those were the smartest dolls on the block!
Somewhere along the way, my dream changed. My childhood dream of being a teacher somehow grew into an adult dream of being a surgeon. When I started college, I planned on studying neuro-surgery. I loved learning about the human body, especially the brain, and knew I would be an excellent surgeon.
As I was preparing to start college, my brother, whom I admired greatly, took me aside and gave me “The Talk”. The talk focused on how much more money I could make going into business, how much sooner I could be out of college (and making money), and how much more it would cost to spend all those years in med school. His argument seemed logical. Sure enough, I sold my dream. Literally.
During my life, I have seen many dreams come and go. One reoccurring lesson remains – no matter how well intending another person can be, regardless of how convincing someone’s suggestions are, your dream is yours. You own the right to earn your dreams and see them come true. That dream is perfect for you. It doesn’t matter what someone else may think or want… you hold the key to open up your dreams.
Looking back now, I can see that my brother wouldn’t have cared if I had chosen the surgical route. His intentions were to watch out for his little sister and help her make an educated decision. Had I told him I wanted to go to med school after our conversation, he may still have tried to change my mind, but would have respected my decision. Ultimately, it was my choice to give away my personal power. I could have achieved my dream. But I chose not to take that path.
Was I really trying to please my brother? Was I looking for an easier route? No. I didn’t have faith that I could see my dream through. I didn’t understand how dreams work.
Now, with more maturity, more years of life experience than I like to admit and more courage, I know that we are not given a dream that we cannot achieve. If God puts a dream in our heart, He will prepare a way for it to be fulfilled if we will have the courage to stick to it.
Think of a dream you have had that came true. Wasn’t it magical? Didn’t feel as if a miracle had taken place? Isn’t transforming to see how powerful you are – that you can create your own destiny?
If there is nothing else you take my from my blog today, take this nugget: Dreams direct you to your greater cause. You become your own master when you are in alignment with what you are here to do. As Marianne Williamson said so eloquently:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are
powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness,
that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be
brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest
the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.”
I love this quote. I think about this quote every day. I internalize this message and ask myself often, “Am I letting my light shine or am I shrinking?” At first, the answer was usually more on the shrinking side. But as I have become more conscious and accountable for holding on to my dreams, the more often the answer is, Yes, my light is shining as bright as a beacon.
Your challenge: Take a moment this week and meditate on what fears are holding you back from making your dreams a reality. In what ways are you giving away your power? How can you achieve what is rightfully yours? How can you partner with God to see miracles in your own life?
Write your thoughts in your journal. Let impressions come to you and then capture them where you can read them over and over again. I promise you, you can create an amazing life by finding and holding on to your dreams.
It is my sincere pray that we will all let our light shine and be a liberating force every day of our lives!
All my love,
Tara
