Unleashing the Power of Big Dreams

I used to teach 9th-11th grade English Language Arts. From time to time we would get on the topic of career path: what do you want to be when you grow up? The kids had big dreams. As they should. They wanted to be football players, doctors, lawyers, basketball players, rappers, and so on. I remember thinking that I wanted things like that too. I tried not to say too much about the size of these dreams because they were excited about something, and that is all that matters. As long as they stay motivated, they find their path along the way. When well meaning adults shoot them down, all they are doing is extinguishing their spark.

Lately, I’ve been getting the same message over and over again. In sessions, in my own studies, while I’m talking to people, it’s always in the same vein of thought: It’s not about finding the answer, it’s about finding new questions while you’re looking. That is where you find your path.

So how does that relate to the children and their dreams? I don’t know very many people who started out knowing exactly what they wanted their lives to look like. Most of my students started out in one direction, and ended up finding the answers along the way, but for so many of them, that initial inspiration to move in a direction at all was what motivated them to get to a better place. The athletes were awarded scholarships that afforded them an education, but they didn’t necessarily continue in athletics after school. Through learning, they found their way. Some of them aren’t using their degree specifically, but they found a path that they didn’t know existed. Many of them learned how to be independent, and found themselves outside of the comfort of their hometown. When they were given the freedom and the power to dream, they realized their purpose.

How does this relate to you? Did you start out knowing exactly what you wanted to do with your life? Did you find your life’s purpose later? Were you a career changer?

I went to school for theater. I have always loved theater, and performing. I’ve also always loved public speaking. I was that kid who competed on the speech team in high school, and went to state, twice. A couple years later, I got a masters and certification in secondary language arts education. I taught for six years. I left, and had my family while running a couple small businesses. I quite literally discovered my true calling by accident. I can tell you the moment that put me on the path to where I am now. If I hadn’t gone to a jewelry party during my first year teaching, I wouldn’t have started my jewelry business, and I wouldn’t have started attending a networking group. I wouldn’t have met my friend Sue, and she wouldn’t have invited me to take her reiki class. My life has had many twists and turns, but I’m fortunate enough to see how I needed each one of those steps to help me along the way.

We need to dream big. Those dreams help us find our bearings or purpose. They help us to keep moving forward with enthusiasm. What does being realistic do for us? It’s not exactly an adjective that ignites passion. We need to be unleashing the power of big dreams!

Love and light,

Maria