| I believe the essence of life is to have a dream or a | | | | want. I think it helps to brainstorm with a supportive |
| goal. Actively pursuing something of importance is the | | | | friend. Whether you brainstorm with someone or alone, |
| very thing that will make you feel alive, young, | | | | remember, your dreams don't have to be realistic. |
| stimulated and happy. A person without a dream or a | | | | Brainstorming is about letting your ideas and passions |
| goal is OLD, whether you are 20 or 100 years old. I'm | | | | flow. |
| not talking about goals to sell more houses or achieve | | | | 2. Once you have uncovered your dream or passion, |
| a higher position in the company you work for. These | | | | begin to research it. Look for articles, schools and |
| aspirations are wonderful and certainly have a place in | | | | books on the subject. Make contact with someone |
| our lives but I'm talking about "heart dreams." That | | | | who is doing what you love. Volunteer in your spare |
| something that feels right when you are doing it; | | | | time. When you immerse yourself in what you love, |
| something you would do simply for the love of it if you | | | | doors will open and people to help you will appear. |
| could. | | | | 3. Remember, it doesn't have to be all or nothing. You |
| Maybe it's working with animals, writing and publishing a | | | | may find variations of your dream that are satisfying |
| children's book or the poems you love to write. Maybe | | | | and you might find yourself moving in more than one |
| it's building a shelter, changing a law, teaching | | | | direction. Stay open. |
| horseback riding to children, creating the perfect secret | | | | It's the journey that is the most satisfying. Have you |
| garden in your back yard, or turning your love of | | | | noticed the people who are the happiest and most |
| gardening into a full or part time job. Maybe it's taking a | | | | positive are the ones who love what they do? Keep |
| loved one or yourself to the homeland of your parents | | | | your momentum going and track your goals and |
| or to live on the water on a boat. | | | | progress; your plan and dream will evolve. |
| We have become so accustomed to society telling us | | | | Here are some inspiring examples of people I have |
| what to expect and want. We have been cautioned | | | | known or read about that dared to find their passion:o I |
| to plan, be realistic and careful and somewhere along | | | | knew a woman who took tango lessons. She found |
| the way we may have lost a viable dream. When I | | | | she loved it and it became a passion. She became |
| ask friends what their dreams are for the most part | | | | really good at it and found a dance partner, built a |
| their answers are surprisingly vague. Instead of hearing | | | | tango pavilion in her back yard and amassed a group |
| passion I hear resignation and what they believe to be | | | | of tango dancing friends in Europe and all across the |
| realistic and achievable. When I ask what they love, | | | | country. When I spoke to her thereafter she was |
| the conversation is entirely different. That is when I see | | | | enviably alive, young, interesting and interested.o I read |
| and hear passion. The more they talk of what they | | | | the story about Nola Ochs on MSNBC who graduated |
| love the more animated and enthusiastic they become. | | | | from college with her granddaughter at the tender age |
| When I ask what happened to these dreams and why | | | | of 95.o Or perhaps you remember watching the 2008 |
| they haven't acted on them there is always a "but". I | | | | Heroes awards program. I was inspired when I |
| love animals but you can't make money working with | | | | watched the original airing and found reading the |
| animals unless you are a vet. I love the water but... I | | | | stories online again even more motivating. Your |
| love to travel but... I love to cook but... When you allow | | | | dreams are not insignificant and unachievable. Read |
| yourself to dream and leave the "but" out of it amazing | | | | these stories and you will see how believing in and |
| possibilities will surface. | | | | pursuing your dreams can enrich your life and the lives |
| To reach a port, we must sail - sail, not tie at anchor - | | | | of others. |
| sail, not drift. -- FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT | | | | "Time is our most precious commodity. Find your |
| Here are some tips on untying the anchor: | | | | passion. Don't do nothing because you can't do |
| 1. The first and most important part, know what you | | | | everything. Do something. Anything. |
