When I grow up I want to be…

How big are you dreaming?  If your divine dreams and goals don’t require the help from others, you’ve not dreamed big enough.  If what you want to manifest doesn’t push you outside of your comfort zone because you know you don’t have all of the answers on how it will unfold, you’re power of imagination and visualization hasn’t been tapped.  If your life purpose doesn’t necessitate growth and learning, it’s time to ask why.  When you ask a child what they want to be when they grow up, he or she doesn’t list just one idea.  They will blurt out with energy and joy a list of dreams so large in scope you have to tether them to the nearest tree or they will float away on a cloud of limitless possibilities.  My favorite list came from a little boy, age 7, whom I met on the subway.  He was going to be a fireman and a policeman because they both get to help people and have really cool sirens, shortstop, like Derek Jeter, for the New York Yankees, an astronaut and a super hero.  He completed his list with a pose similar to Spider Man.  What do you think happens when I ask adults what they want to be when they grow up?  After laughter and a raised eyebrow, the common retort is it’s too late for me. Is it really?

Our inner child never leaves us.  There are some who have never been separated from its influence; while others have long since forgotten the larger than life experiences they planned while sailing in a tire swing or laying on the grass staring up at the stars.  What would you do today if money and time weren’t a concern?  Don’t over think the question and do you best to shut out your ego while it attempts to throw out all of the reasons why this exercise is silly.  And if the answer feels like an impossibility to you, like President of the United States, take the time to dig deeper into what it is about the dream or goal that you connect with most.  More than likely, it’s because of the unique gifts, skills and talents you innately possess.  As you continue to explore and discover you might find another career, project, goal or hobby that is aligned perfectly with the original one you came up with and you know is attainable.  Someone who always wanted to act on Broadway, and has never taken a class or performed in his or her life, might find that working for a theater company or a foundation that supports the arts a way to connect with this dream or they could decide to take an acting class or audition for community theater.

No one or no thing can keep us from our dreams.  We are the only ones with that kind of power, and we’ve become experts at getting in our own way.  We focus on the “how” of things, the “perfection” of an idea, or fear based notions like failure and rejection.  Instead of the how, center on the affirmation “why not me.”  Why not you to take dance, writing, acting, photography, or art lessons?  Why not you to switch careers, move to New York City, or own a home?  Dreaming big does come with its challenges like wanting what you want and wanting it now.  It’s frustration when it’s not happening fast enough that often blocks our path and we walk away before we’ve begun the journey.  Instead of zeroing in on step 10, take a look at step 1.  And just like the outlines we created in high school and college, the line from step 1 to step 2 can be incorporated with even smaller tasks like 1.a, 1.b. 1.c.  With each accomplishment and win, you are empowered to move forward.

What’s the one thing you can do today to get started?  Where can you go to find and connect with others who have similar interests and passions?  These very people could direct and guide you toward tremendous opportunities.  Utilize your social networks, check out continuing education guides at local colleges and universities, look at programs offered by community centers and read the local papers for events.  Summer is an excellent time to embrace your inner child and say yes to opportunities.