The Breathing Prosperity blog

First, a question: do you even know what your dreams are anymore?

I’ll bet you had lots of them when you were a kid. We all did…and then, somewhere along the way, we let go of them because we learned (read: were told by silly other people) that they had no value, were impossible or impractical, or that we had to do other, more important things with our lives. But what could be more important than our dreams? What is life without dreams?

Just to be clear, by dreams I mean those activities and pursuits that call to your heart, that make you smile when you think about them and some of which may even scare you a little – in a good way – because they are so big.

The beautiful thing about dreams is that they are unique to each of us, and if you think about it even for a moment, you may agree that this world would be an amazingly creative and diverse place if everyone followed their unique dreams. If we all followed our hearts and talents and expressed ourselves creatively by giving life to our grandest dreams and ambitions, what a magical place this would be!

Of course, it’s already magical, but isn’t it people who passionately pursued their dreams that gave us some of our more memorable books and art, man made landmarks, programs and companies, and so much more? How about putting people on the moon, or building libraries, incredible buildings, bridges and universities, or being the first black  president of the United States? Don’t these feats inspire us, bring us pleasure or help out many fellow humans?

I am currently attending personal development blogger Steve Pavlina’s first live workshop, and I’m enjoying every moment of it. The trip itself is fulfilling many of my personal dreams, including the intention to always work on refining and achieving my dreams themselves.

Here is a small snippet I shared yesterday with a law of attraction group I am part of:

May I say first that I have already made many, MANY of my dreams come true, and that is super-exciting for me. As a tiny example in my larger picture, a few years ago I was in Las Vegas walking around the Studio Walk at the MGM Grand…my honey and I got to this ‘secret passageway’ that had a key entry and when some people came out we peeked in curiously and saw a moving walkway leading…somewhere. We were not part of that crowd, so to speak — didn’t and couldn’t get past that door. I felt…longing. Longing to be part of that secret and to be someone who warranted ‘belonging’ behind that door. I later found out that it was the Signature section of the MGM, a condo and hotel in behind that is a little more exclusive and is quiet, elegant and has its own gated entry, concierge, valet parking, etc.. Right up my alley, but at the time I allowed that to make me feel less than – like I wasn’t good enough, or rich enough, to get in and be a part of that world.

I am thrilled to say that I am writing this from my beautiful suite in the Signature, overlooking the strip and the MGM Grand proper, and enjoying every moment of it. I have a gorgeous bathroom with jacuzzi, every amenity I could ask for and 24 hour room service – just my style. The suite is absolutely perfect for me in every way, in every touch of the décor. Last night my honey drove me here from LA, we enjoyed the valet parking and private check-in, and most of all, we enjoyed walking later from the MGM Grand through that door and into the private walkway. It made my week – nay, my decade. A small symbol of how far I’ve come in a few short years and I’m thrilled – thrilled! – to be here.

I don’t think there is a single person in this workshop who hasn’t changed the fabric of their lives in significant ways already, and who will not be inspired to further pursue/create their personal, unique dreams when this is through.

It’s fantastic to be in a room with so many articulate, intelligent, conscious and thoughtful people…for me, it’s like drinking a huge glass of fresh sweet water. I will be sorry when it’s over, but at the same time the connections and ideas flowing are part of the process of defining, refining and achieving one’s dreams, and this is the subject I’m passionate about.

YOU can do this too, and it’s never too late. Today, give some thought to what your dreams may look like, and remember that you can refine them as you go, but that won’t work if you don’t start somewhere.

P.S. I just posted a new video that gels nicely with this – you can see it under ‘JOY-LOVE-PEACE’ on the Inspiring Videos page. Enjoy!

Wait, don’t go if this offends or annoys you – bear with me. It’s important.

Photo credit: Demotivate.org

Either from the time we were children or from the time we picked up the study of personal development when we were adults, we’ve been told that success and winning are the pinnacles of life. Achievement and being the best – at relationships, at our career, even at personal development - is the epitome of a good life.

This has morphed into softer, more touchy-feely subjects in the past few years as people are getting more in touch with their inner selves, but there is still a pervasive sense of needing to be good at things – to be good at healing ourselves, at meditating, at yoga or at balancing career and motherhood, for instance.

We have this perception that ‘out there’ somewhere are these winners, these creatures who ‘win’ at everything they do, who succeed greatly, dress better than we do, talk easily and graciously to all people and generally live amazing lives. They have a certain something that, if only we do the right things, we can have too, but maybe we secretly think we’ll never have it.

Almost everyone has felt this at one time or another, though most of us don’t admit it – perhaps not even to ourselves. Most of us would never overtly call ourselves losers, but the proof is in the following small test: look in the mirror and say to yourself ‘You’re a winner! You’re a champion. You’re the best!’ and see what happens. Do you hear things like ‘Yeah, right. Whatever. That’s not true – not you! I wish’ (that mind of yours, talking back! — the nerve!)? These are the truths of what we think about ourselves. How much do you suppose this has held you back from achieving your dreams – from even dreaming in the first place? It is WE who are holding ourselves back, in the form of subtle, familiar self-judgements.

There is something to be said for thinking like a winner – for believing in yourself and expecting nothing but the best from – and for – yourself. Start treating yourself like the fabulous creature you are – like a winner in every way, because you are. You are magnificent, and capable, and powerful.  Stop looking for signs from the universe, validation from anyone around you or for a miracle to happen. Decide what you want, realize that only you can get it, and go get it!

You may enjoy this related post Self Development: Winning Principles.