"Don’t Follow your Dreams; Chase Them."

– Richard Dumbrill

First you have to dream. It’s easy to get going, going, going toward a goal, or just taking care of everyday life. When do you have time to dream? I’d recommend taking time from your phone to lie on the grass and watch clouds float by (literally–or figuratively during summer when there aren’t many clouds). Look at trees, their leaf and branch patterns. Listen to birds chirping, tweeting, cawing, screeching. Feel the breeze on your skin. Smell jasmine, roses, dirt. Feel textures under your hands.

There just might be dreams you’ve had for many years and have forgotten. Spend quiet time in nature, or exercising, or meditating; make space to invite your dreams to arise again. Maybe you have dreams you haven’t gotten to yet. Ask yourself, "How come I haven’t gone after this dream?" Let answers float up from your mind, body, and spirit.

Perhaps you were chasing a dream and got sidetracked. Redirect yourself. Look for places in your life that you can focus on dreams. What can you do less of to make real time for yourself? Do you have busy-mind? When you catch yourself ruminating, decide it’s time for dreaming.

If you’re focused on your work and kids, remember you’re able to be your best self when you take care of yourself. In the end, you’ll nourish yourself, chase dreams, and be a better beloved and parent for it.

Dreams can be small, medium, or large. Don’t hold back on any size dream just because it’s not a huge, world-changing dream. They are your dreams. Likely they have to do with the gift only you can bring to the world.

My friend and colleague, Bobbi Emel et al, created and taught a process called Core Gifts. I am so glad I learned from Bobbi. It’s a powerful process that gets to the core of your life–what you’re here to do. When you face decisions, and if they are in line with your Core Gift, go for it. If not, think and feel long and hard about it.

If you’re moved to share your dreams here, please share with us. If you weren’t afraid, or constrained by daily life, what would you do? Don’t smother the first answer that just popped into your head. See about chasing it instead.