Happy 2017! The Year You Live Your Dreams

In my monthly newsletter, I wrote about living your dream and some of the things I’ve learned from decisions I’ve made and challenges I’ve faced over the years. I thought I would expound on that a little bit more, because our dreams are important. We all have gifts and a purpose, and finding them and living them is an important part of who we are. Let’s make them happen in 2017!

No One Said It Would Be Easy

I know that it’s not always easy to take a leap of faith and pursue something you are passionate about. A lot of this comes from fear – of failure, of the unknown, of losing control. For me, this fear is especially true when the lives of other people are affected. Before I had a family, kids, a special needs child, a mortgage, I was willing to take lots of risks (though I wish I had taken a few more). For the most part, I knew that there was very little I “needed” and I could probably land on my feet no matter what. Once I was responsible for other people I wasn’t as confident about making big changes. But, nothing worthwhile is easy, and if you are happy and fulfilled, you’ll be in a better place to serve others in your life.

Nothing worthwhile comes easily.

Security Is A Myth

Lots of the times we sacrifice our dreams for security. Having something “stable” (even if we aren’t satisfied) gives us a sense of control. But – any mom of a disabled child will tell you – you can do everything right and still have it all blow up in your face. That quote about God laughing at your plans exists for a reason. It’s the same reason it’s called Murphy’s LAW and not Murphy’s thought or Murphy’s idea. Nothing is a guarantee. Not health, not wealth, not safety, not security. Unexpected things happen all the time and we cannot control them or avoid them.

The Illusion of Security

I’m not saying to give away all your possessions and start the vagabond lifestyle like that weird couple in the Subaru commercial (seriously, is being boxcar folk really anyone’s “dream” life?). But finding something in your life that makes you happy and choosing to pursue it is worthwhile. And it is really your purpose, things have a way of falling into place.

Ignore the Doubters

Of course, there will always be naysayers. But don’t let that shake your confidence. Your dreams might not make sense to anyone else. But, they don’t have to. We are all on our own journey. My lessons aren’t yours to learn, and vice versa. What makes you happy doesn’t have to make me happy. Not everyone is on the “go-to-college, get-a-Jetta, get-a-job, buy-a-condo, get-married, upgrade-house, have-2.5-kids plan.” Maybe that is your plan, and that’s cool. But there is no rule that your dream has to look like anyone else’s so-called American Dream.

“Once they are gone I can air my podcast.”

Remember that YOU ROCK

Eleanor Roosevelt said that, “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” And she was no fool! But you will only have the strength and courage to do so if you believe in yourself. So do some Stuart Smalley type mantras or whatever it takes to believe that you have a gift, that you deserve to be happy, and that you are awesome!

Seriously, YOU ROCK!

So, in addition to or instead of your regular New Year’s resolutions, I challenge you this year to make one small change toward something you are passionate about, that brings you fulfillment.

Happy 2017!

Let’s do this 2017!